THE Republican members of the House of Representatives on Monday repainted and rehabilitated the Saipan Skate Park in Garapan.
A product of private-public partnership, the $241,000 skate park was completed during the administration of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial in April 2009.
About $135,000 of the funding was provided by the federal government through Northern Marianas Housing Corp., and the rest of the amount was raised by the CNMI government and the private sector.
The House members who repainted and beautified the park were Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, House Floor Leader Ralph Yumul, House Minority Leader Ivan Blanco, Reps. Angel Demapan, Joseph Leepan Guerrero, Joel Camacho, John Paul Sablan, Roy Ada and Joseph Flores.
They were joined by teenagers who have been using the park.
Demapan said the rehabilitation of the Saipan Skate Park is among their efforts to promote outdoor and fitness activities among the youth in the community.
Blanco said, “Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the priceless delight on the faces of our youth when they see the repair and renovation of their neighborhood playgrounds. These community service projects by your minority bloc [members] can never be made possible without our staff, family, and most especially our generous sponsors. We will continue our public service.”
Blanco at the same time thanked businesses and other government organizations that helped the lawmakers rehabilitate the park.
These include the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, the Saipan mayor’s office, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and skater Eric Mahinay for reaching out to lawmakers.
The House Republicans also want to recognize the other government and non-government organizations “who helped construct this wonderful facility for our youth and skating community.”
Aside from NMHC, these include the CNMI Youth Foundation, the Rotary Club of Saipan, Seafix Inc., EFC Engineers & Architects, the Island Skate or ISK8 Society, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, former DLNR Secretary Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz and individual donors including the late Precinct 3 Rep. Francisco Dela Cruz.
House Republicans pose with young skaters after completing the rehabilitation of Saipan Skate Park in Garapan on Monday.
Contributed photo
