‘Review of $5.8M sports funding needed’

The Commonwealth Development Authority is willing to entertain a $5.8-million funding request for the construction of sports facilities, but it needs time to review the request and identify a funding source, a top CDA official said yesterday.

CDA board chair Tom Glenn A. Quitugua said that the agency could not readily commit to the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ request mainly because the money was not available.

Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta, in his letter to CDA yesterday, asked Quitugua to respond before the Aug. 22 deadline given by the Micronesian Games Committee to the CNMI to confirm its commitment to hosting the 2006 Micronesian Games.

But Quitugua said the DCCA’s request must be discussed first by the concerned CDA committee and decided upon by the entire board of directors.

“At this time, we don’t have resources to the tune of $5.8 million, so we can’t commit just yet. This was not in the budget, so we really have to review it. But we’ll see what we can do,” said Quitugua.

Babauta wrote CDA yesterday to ask for a financial investment of $5.8 million infrastructure projects needed for the 2006 Micronesian Games.

The proposed construction projects include construction of a new Olympic-size swimming pool and tennis courts at the Oleai Sports Complex, renovation of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, installation of additional lighting at the Olympic-standard Oleai track and field, renovation of Kan Pacific swimming pool, construction of grandstands at the three Oleai Sports Complex fields, and construction of toilet and shower facilities.

“The purpose of these renovations is [to] prioritize enhanced facilities for the CNMI community as a whole, while also increasing business activity in the CNMI through the attraction of regional and international sporting events,” Babauta told CDA board chairman Tom Glenn A. Quitugua.

The event is expected to bring about 1,500 to 1,700 athletes, coaches and officials to the CNMI on June 23 to July 7, 2006.

“Gov. Juan N. Babauta has expressed his full support for this project and presentations have also been made to the 14th NMI Legislature, as well as the Governor’s Authorized Representative and Special Assistant for Capital Improvement Projects. This is a tremendous opportunity for the CNMI…,” Babauta said.