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NMSA can apply for new grant
The Northern Marianas Sports Association is planning to build a new grandstand at the Francisco M. “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.(Jon Perez)
The Northern Marianas Sports Association is eligible to apply for another grant that would help them with their renovation and other planned improvements of Saipan’s sports facilities.
NMSA executive director Tony Rogolifoi said they would immediately apply after learning this from Northern Marianas Housing Corp. officials.
Rogolifoi and NMSA vice president Kurt Barnes met with NMHC deputy corporate director Zenie P. Mafnas and NMHC planner and environmental officer Jacob Muna last week to discuss the resurfacing of the Oleai track oval.
“They told us that [NMSA] is eligible to apply to receive another grant. We’re hoping to submit another application by March or before the December deadline,” said Rogolifoi.
“NMSA is looking to have new grandstands built at the baseball field and we estimate that the cost would be between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. But the project will depend on the money that will be given to us. We’re okay to work on how much they give us.”
They are now looking for someone who could help them draw the architectural perspective of the planned grandstand.
Rogolifoi said they plan to put concession stands and a storage room under the new grandstand. “We could rent them to people who want to sell food every time there are games or other events. The money could be additional income for NMSA to help us with our daily operations. And at the same time we could keep some of our equipment under it.”
Baseball is also one of the most watched sporting events on the island with Saipan’s hosting of last year’s Asia Pacific Middle East Junior, Senior, and Big League Regional Tournament a crowd drawer every night.
The gold medal match between the CNMI and Guam in the 2006 Micronesian Games also drew a huge crowd.
Rogolifoi again repeated that maintaining, improving and renovating the sports facilities would also benefit the CNMI.
“If we have nice facilities then we can bid to host other events. And with Japan hosting the 2020 [Summer] Olympics we could advertise that Saipan is a viable place to rain especially for those countries who want to acclimatize with the weather,” added Rogolifoi. “But again, it all boils down to money.”
