NMSA moves on with repair works at sports complex

The fence near the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield entrance was repaired early this week. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Northern Marianas Sports Association has started doing minor repairs and improvements at the Oleai Sports Complex while waiting for the release of funding allocated for the facilities damaged by Typhoon Soudelor last year.

NMSA executive director Tony Rogolifoi, in an interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday, said the fence of the complex near the entrance of the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield (facing Kilili Beach) was repaired last Tuesday, while the press box at the baseball field is undergoing renovation.

“We’re doing improvements little by little as we wait for our funds. I got a call from the governor and he raised concerns on the broken fence—it’s an eyesore and may pose a threat to the safety of the people going to the complex and using that entrance.” Rogolifoi said.

Majority of the complex’s fences sustained significant damage from Typhoon Soudelor that hit the island last Aug. 2. The facilities inside the complex were also greatly affected, causing their closure for several months. While the complex was closed, NMSA made an assessment report about the damage and sought assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair the main sports facility in the CNMI.

Rogolifoi said a little over $500,000 was approved by FEMA to repair the damage at the complex after the agency made its own assessment late last year. The NMSA executive director added that the funds are already available and should be released through the Capital Improvements Project.

“I was told there are some papers works that need to be done, like procurement and bidding. We are still waiting from CIP and while we are doing that, we would like to make some improvements here at the complex,” Rogolioi said.

NMSA is looking to fix the crumpled batting cage and Rogolifoi said he will ask assistance from the teams playing in the ongoing 2016 Saipan Baseball League. Over at the track and field facility, lights have been fixed and NMSA is also waiting for the release of funding (from Northern Marianas Housing Corporation) for the resurfacing of the rubberized track oval.

The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium and Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield will also undergo repairs and improvement using the money from FEMA.

“We’re doing the best we can with the money (NMSA operational fund) we have now. Hopefully, in a few months we will get the funds allocated for these projects,” Rogolifoi said.