Saipan welcomes new recreational facility By ALDWIN R. FAJARDO

It seemed a reunion of members of the 11th Legislature who did not make it during the November elections, but the excitement that filled the air brought about by the completion of yet another recreational facility on Saipan was not to be overshadowed.

Former Representatives Karl Reyes, Manuel A. Tenorio and Ana Teregeyo attended yesterday morning’s opening of the Saipan Recreation Facility at the Northern Marianas College campus to witness the birth of a project they all worked hard for during their term of office.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said the new facility would help government and non-governmental agencies’ efforts at diverting the youth’s attention from vices by giving them a place to develop their skills in a variety of sports.

The new facility will offer a variety of activities like community youth programs, drop-by recreation hours, and NMC physical education activity classes.

“It is the youth and the young at heart that we dedicate this facility, that they may engage in wholesome activities to the benefit of themselves and of the community,” said NMC acting president Jack M. Sablan.

Funding for the project did not come until after a year since former NMC president Agnes McPhetres and former MIHA director John Sablan saw the need to build a second recreational facility in addition to Ada Gymnasium in 1995.

The Commonwealth Development Authority, in 1996, managed to obtain $688,000 grant for the facility from the federal government’s Community Development Block Grant.

The 11th Legislature, according to Mr. Sablan, provided an additional $700,000 that enabled the construction and the completion of the recreational facility.

“The sum, incidentally, was the first major CIP funding for the NMC by our government,” he added.

The new recreational facility has two basketball courts which can be converted into a volleyball or a tennis court. It is complete with shower/locker rooms, equipment store room and office.

The NMC also plans to construct a second phase of the project that would add space and facilities for weightlifting, aerobics and racquetball, Mr. Sablan said as he sought the support of the 12th Legislature.

The health and physical education department of the college will help administer the programs, as well as usage of the facility.