Extension for Oleai Sports Complex repairs sought

Referee Arnold Mesa stands close to a damaged portion of the flooring of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium during a timeout in yesterday’s game in the UFO caging. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

With the repair work at the Oleai Sports Complex yet to start, the Northern Marianas Sports Association will request for an extension from Capital Improvement Project administrator Vicky Villagomez.

NMSA executive director Tony Rogolifoi said Villagomez told him that projects funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency should be done by February next year, but there is no way they could meet the deadline.

Rogolifoi, in an interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday, added that the contract for the repairs at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium has just been awarded early this month and documents needed to start the project are already with the Division of Procurement and Supply.

Department of Public Works Secretary James Ada, in a separate interview with Saipan Tribune, confirmed that the contract for the renovation project at the Ada Gym has been awarded to Misamis Construction and DPW is still waiting for the “responsibility determination”—a filled-out form to prove that the contractor has the means and ability to complete the contract in question.

“We will also request to expedite the paper works at the procurement and supply. It will be very difficult to meet the February deadline because besides the Ada Gym renovation, the baseball and softball fields and the track and field will also undergo repairs. We don’t have enough materials here, so shipping time will also be an important factor to consider in completing these projects,” Rogolifoi said.

NMASA got a $488,556 grant from FEMA and was obligated on Dec. 10, 2015 or more than four months after Typhoon Soudelor struck Saipan and damaged the facilities at the sports complex.

“People have been asking when the repairs works will start because they also want to plan ahead with their events and look for alternative venues, so we’re happy that we are moving forward with these projects. At least, we knew the contract has been awarded and we just need to request for fast-tracking the process,” Rogolifoi added.

Notice to proceed
Rogolifoi also disclosed that a notice to proceed has been issued for the resurfacing project at the track and field facility and he expects the repair works to begin before the month ends.

The Northern Marianas Housing Corp. allocated NMSA Program Year 2014 CDBG Funds in the amount of $772,368 and Program Year 2015 CDBG Funds in the amount of $132,744 for the resurfacing project, while the Marianas Visitors Authority has also committed $250,000 to the facility’s renovation. A portion of the FEMA funds NMSA got from CIP will also be used for the track.

The resurfacing project is needed for the facility to regain its Level II certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations.

If the repairs start this month, it will be perfect timing as Pacific Games Council officials will be on Saipan to get updates about the CNMI’s preparation for hosting the 2021 Pacific Mini Games.