Micro Games to cost a bundle, but pay dividends

While the buzz surrounding the CNMI hosting the 2006 Micronesian Games has both government officials and the local sporting community excited, there still that remains the little matter of how the people of Saipan will be able to flip the seven-figure bill.

Last week, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta briefed members of the Legislature about the benefits of hosting the international event. According to a copy of the PowerPoint presentation obtained by the Saipan Tribune, the initial cost would come from the decision makers on the Hill.

“A legislative appropriation of $600,000 – $800,000 is needed to facilitate the hosting of [the games],” the report outlined.

That figure is just a fraction of the proposed $5.8 million that it would take for the island to totally revamp its sporting infrastructure and join the rest of the region in the 21st century.

Babauta earlier said that the hosts of previous games had facilities far superior to that of the CNMI—hosts with far fewer resources. The report said that the government would recoup most of initial funds from the $30 per-diem rate paid by each of the 1,500 to 1,700 visiting athletes, coaches, and officials.

Some of the initial estimates include the renovation of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, the additions of grandstand seating at Francisco M. Palacios Stadium, Tan Ge Field, and the Oleai Track and Field facility—which will also receive additional lighting. The report showed that the improvements to these structures alone are estimated to cost the CNMI $2,747, 500. The costs continue to climb with the proposed $909,000 much-needed facelift to the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi.

The improvements to the local landscape wouldn’t stop there, as the secretary’s vision includes the addition of a state-of-the-art 50-Meter Competition Swimming Pool that would be centrally located at the Oleai Sports Complex and a nearby tennis court. The plan also offers the local paddlers a piece of the pie with a new canoe house complete with toilet and shower facilities.

While the figures are not concrete, the lasting effects of the facilities would last long after the estimated $2,031,500 bill was paid. With the addition of portable toilet and shower facilities at the Marianas High School, the proposed cost of hosting the games with first class venues totals $5,815,500.

Lost in all of the figures is the benefit that the community will receive for years to come as a result of hosting the games. Included in the renovations package are bastions for village-level sports as well. Work will also be done to shape up places like the long neglected San Vicente Softball Field, the Kan Pacific Baseball Field, and a number of basketball courts around the island to get them up to standard.

While they are certain to be pricey, Babauta sees value far beyond the games.

“It will benefit us in the long term to give our sports facilities a facelift for the games and I think that our people deserve first class facilities. I’ve always impressed with other facilities when we go out and I think it’s high-time that we do something to improve the comfort and accessibility of our facilities to make sure our fans can be there to cheer the teams,” he said.

House Minority Bloc Leader Arnold I. Palacios previously said that the support for the games is already there, but he said that everyone will have to pull together to pull it off.

“I think the community has to get behind it, including the corporate community, the government, the legislature—everybody,” he said.

Palacios also said that the community might be best served with a committee to oversee the process. The secretary’s report proposed the establishment of an Executive Organizing Committee through either a joint resolution or an Executive Order. The committee would be comprised of members of the local sporting community, business community, local government, and volunteers to serve as the games’ organizing body.

While the individual events for the games are yet to be decided, the report listed athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, golf, outrigger canoeing, men’s and women’s softball, spear fishing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, indoor volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.

The EOC would have to sort out the scheduling of events, accommodations, transportation, security, and medical services to name a few, but the final words of the report explained that the events are not as important as the lasting effects they will make upon the CNMI.

“This is an opportunity that not only plays significant importance to our sports infrastructure, our coaches, and our athletics, but one that will benefit our entire community, promoting our goodwill and Pacific spirit, continuing the effort to promote the CNMI as a destination capable f successfully managing such regional and international events and encouraging our citizens to excel.”