NMSA stays on top of Oleai Sports Complex upkeep

The Northern Marianas Sports Association and staff from the Governor’s Office assigned to the Oleai Sports Complex have been doing improvement work at the parking lot and surrounding areas of the facility over the last several weeks. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Northern Marianas Sports Association has stayed on top of the maintenance work at the Oleai Sports Complex to provide safety and convenience to the general public and national athletes utilizing the facility.

Over the last several weeks, the NMSA and staff from the Governor’s Office assigned to the complex have been working on improving the parking lot and the surrounding areas of the OSC. Disabled parking signs have been installed while vehicle stoppers, curb lines, stripes, and other markings in the parking lot have been repainted. Additionally, cracked vehicle stoppers have been removed for repair, sidewalks have been pressure-washed and cleaned, while the curb along Beach Road and arrows on the pavement at the parking entrances and exits have been painted.

“As we wait for the major renovations at the Oleai Sports Complex, the NMSA is doing its best to maintain the safety and cleanliness or our facilities, including the parking lot. This regular maintenance work provides additional safety and visibility for drivers, pedestrians, and users of the OSC,” NMSA executive director Carline Sablan said.

The ongoing improvement project is made possible through the assistance of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers’ Public Private Partnership Equipment Lending Program, which provided paint and cleaning tools to the NMSA. The NMSA has also been working with the Saipan Mayor’s Office for the maintenance of the OSC grounds.

Both the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Softball Field and the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field have been undergoing regular ground maintenance, as the two facilities are now being used by baseball players training for this year’s Pacific Mini Games. Members of the NMI basketball federation’s Senior and Junior National Basketball Program, on the other hand, are utilizing the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium to prepare for competitions in Guam later this year, while the track and field facility hosts a growing number of runners/walkers besides the NMI athletics team pool getting ready for the Mini Games.

Keep facilities clean; give way to national athletes

Meanwhile, the NMSA requests the public’s cooperation in maintaining the cleanliness of the sports complex. Users are asked to leave facilities the way they found them and to clean up after themselves.

The association is also reminding OSC users to follow user guidelines, specifically those utilizing the track and field facility. No pets, bikes, strollers, and any motorized vehicle are allowed at the track and only athletics/running shoes must be worn to avoid causing damage to the rubberized surface. Recreational runners, walkers, and joggers are encouraged to use Lanes 6 to 8, as Lanes 1 to 5 are reserved for athletes in training. Children should not be left unattended at all times.

For groups planning to train or hold events at the track and field facility, reservations should be made and approved by the NMSA. For more information about the usage of the OSC facilities, contact NMSA at marianassports@gmail.com. (PR)