The renovations, which start on April 1, may be completed around September or October, said Division of Sports and Recreation director Jojo Attao in an interview.
“Right now we just completed the restrooms in the front area of the gym, and they (contractors) have started on the roofing and bleachers,” he told Variety.
Projects for the gym were made possible by the Community Development Block Grant, under the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation.
“Asides from that, we’ve also fixed the fence around the baseball field,” Attao added.
Most of the Oleai Sports Complex, which includes the track and field, Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Ball Field, and Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field remain open to the public.
The Division of Youth Services has utilized the complex for its 2011 Summer Youth Camp, which accepts children between six and 12 years old.
As Attao recalled, repairs in the gym were last made in 2005, right before the 2006 Micronesian Games.
A total of five people maintain the sports complex between Monday and Friday.
After the renovation, Attao hopes that visitors become more “responsible” with their litter – especially betel nut spit, which has plagued the facility for several years.
The repairs will also favor the CNMI, should it be chosen as the venue for the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.
