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Baseball field renovations seek to lure foreign teams
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Posted on Jan 29 2009
To attract more regional baseball teams to train on Saipan, the island is beginning a series of upgrades to the baseball and softball fields at the island’s main sports complex
The Marianas Visitors Authority is spearheading the Oleai Sports Complex enhancement project, which dedicates $145,000 to repairs and renovations for the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field and Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Softball Field.
The project would include installation of a 50-foot retractable fence, replacement of the existing fence, installation of protective pads, and repair of night game floodlights. The project also includes upgrades to the softball field, the bullpen, batting tunnels, and equipment storage facilities.
“With our year-round tropical weather and proximity to East Asia, the Northern Mariana Islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are an ideal training location for professional teams in the region,” said MVA managing director Perry Tenorio. “This renovation project is a ‘double play’ in our books, helping us to attract regional teams and their accompanying media, while also benefiting all our local ballplayers.”
MVA met with the Department of Public Work on Jan. 12, 2009. DPW is providing technical support for the project and will help meet several grant requirements prior to the issuance of a Notice to Proceed and then Request for Proposal. MVA has also met with the Division of Historic Preservation to address concerns related to historic remains in the area.
The project was funded with a Capitol Improvement Project grant from the U.S. Office of Insular Affairs. It took special attention from MVA and from OIA to gain approval.
“This is not your typical CIP grant, and we acknowledge the support of OIA in approving this project,” said Tenorio. “Tourism is the CNMI’s only industry now, and with tourism down worldwide, this project is an investment in our economic viability. We thank them wholeheartedly.”
The much needed improvements come at the recommendation of LG Twins, a professional baseball team from Korea now on Saipan for training. The project is targeted for completion by the end of 2009.[B][I] (MVA)[/I][/B]
