Pool may remain operational

Swimmers practice at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool. (Contributed Photo)

The community’s call to keep the Kan Pacific Pool open may not fall on deaf ears after all.

The only Olympic-sized pool in the Commonwealth could remain operational after the CNMI Lottery Commission, during its board meeting yesterday, allowed Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC to take over the management of the Mariana Resort & Spa and other facilities under Kan Pacific’s care. Paperwork for the IPI takeover will be done this week.

Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation president John Hirsh has yet to hear official word from IPI nor the Department of Public Lands, but has welcomed this development.

“If they will be able to find a way to save the pool, we will be incredibly grateful to the administration and all those involved in the solution,” said Hirsh, who early this month sent a letter to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, appealing to the government to step in and keep the pool. “This pool does not only benefit the swimmers, but also other members of the community and the closure will definitely have a negative impact to us.”

Kan Pacific had earlier informed NMISF and its three member clubs (Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan, Saipan Swim Club, and Dolphin Club Saipan) that the pool will cease operation at the end of this month, as the extension of the lease agreement between the government (DPL) and the company will expire on Sept. 30.

After Kan Pacific’s announcement, the community and even those off-island were alarmed and could not hide their disappointment over the closure of the 50-meter pool. Later, an online petition was launched to save the pool and as of last night, it has gathered over 7,000 signatories.

One of them is former CNMI swimmer Carol Lynn Pierce, who is now based in Virginia with her family, but has been in touch with members of the local swimming community.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the closing of the public pool on Saipan. My children, Justin, Jennifer, and Jill, who grew up under the coaching of Bill and Jean Sakovich, were equally as shocked at the closure. Word of the closure rapidly spread through the internet and literally, around the world, those swimmers and families of yesteryears are signing the petition to assist,” Pierce said.

“Saipan residents participated in many programs offered at the public pool facility; competitive swimming, Red Cross swim lessons, lifesaving and lifeguard certification, synchronized swimming, water polo, and masters swimming. Swimming has kept my family and I safe in the water, enriched our lives, and opened many doors of opportunities, as well as forming lifetime friendships worldwide,” she added.

Meanwhile, IPI Special Projects senior vice president Viola Alepuyo said they are aware of the clamor to keep the pool open.

“Are we amenable having the commission authorize No. 1 and tabling No. 2 until IPI is awarded the RFP for the Marpi property? We are amenable to that, only because we don’t want the almost 100 people to lose their jobs if Mariana Resort closes down and we don’t want the community to lose the pool. There’s been an outcry in the community and in response to the community and DPL, we sacrifice that request (allowing them to open the integrated resort in phases) so we could move forward,” Alepuyo said. (With reports from Jon Perez)