New grandstands for fields, fresh coat of paint for gym

While athletes are busy prepping for the 6th Micronesian Games, facilities at the Oleai Sports Complex are also getting in shape for the quadrennial event set here on Saipan from June 23 to July 2.

In an interview yesterday, Division of Sports and Recreation director Joe Lizama, who also serves as chairman for the facilities committee on the Micronesian Games Organizing Committee, said the current projects include painting of the inside of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, as well as construction of concrete grandstands at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field and the Miguel B. Pangelinan Softball Field.

Lizama said the Ada Gym will be painted this weekend, with volunteers from the MDX Amateur Radio Group stepping up to the plate and taking the initiative of completing the task.

Lizama said about 90 volunteers from the association will scrape off old paint and put on a new coat on Saturday and will complete the job on Sunday.

“They’ve really been supportive, not only for this Micro Games but in other community projects,” Lizama said as he expressed appreciation to the group. “They’re really helpful and I’m happy to have them on board.”

The group is also responsible for painting the parking lot of the complex.

Lizama said that like the outside walls, paint that will be used will be donated by Sherwin Williams Paint Store. About four pails of paint will be needed for the inside project, which will cover the competition areas, hallways, and locker rooms.

Lizama said each pail of paint costs about $233.

He added that paint donated by Sherwin Williams for the outside walls of the gym costs $4,293.77.

“We’re saving a lot because of their contribution,” Lizama said of Sherwin Williams.

Lizama explained that since the beginning of talks about hosting the Games, he believed community support is a key ingredient to the success of the Games.

“It takes the entire community not just in preparation but also during the Games to make it a success,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lizama said staff of the Department of Public Works, who have been working relentlessly in the projects at the complex, began working on the grandstand project at the Palacios field yesterday.

“We’ll have two concrete bleachers and each bleacher is about 15X50 feet, so it’s something we’re going to have for a very long time,” he said.

Lizama said that the Palacios field project should be complete in two weeks. Another two weeks will be needed for the Tan Ge softball field project.

“They’re already working on the foundation and there’s only 38 days [as of yesterday] before the Games, and I’ve been assured that it will be done in time,” he said.

Lizama disclosed that Hawaiian Rock Products donated 50 hollow blocks, aggregate, and manufactured sand that will be used for the construction of the grandstands.

He said the aluminum bleachers that were at the two fields will be moved and used at the track and field area.

Lizama also expressed appreciation to the DPW crew.

“Without those guys, none of these things are possible,” he said.