Now comes the hard part

Local sports officials received with open arms the decision of the Micronesian Games Organizing Committee awarding the hosting of next year’s Micronesian Games to the CNMI.

But now that the confirmation has been received, a lot of work and at the very least a little over $1 million in funds would be needed to host the over 1,500 athletes, coaches, and officials from island nations around the region expected to participate in the quadrennial event.

According to Division of Sports and Recreation director Tony Rogolifoi, the next step would be to create an executive committee for the Games.

A recent presentation conducted by Rogolifoi and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta to the Legislature indicated that the committee would consist of an executive director; chairman and vice chairman for the Games; chairman of the Sports Committee, with sub committees for each sport; chairman for accommodations, food, and transportation; chair for finance, fundraising, and marketing; and chair for protocol and foreign affairs logistics, sports facilities, repair and maintenance; public relations and media; ceremonies—opening and closing—medals, and entertainment, security; medical services; and volunteers.

Meanwhile, both Rogolifoi and Babauta explained that many of the facilities must be renovated to accommodate the needs of the Games, which could feature action in athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, golf, outrigger canoe, women’s slow pitch softball, men’s fast pitch softball, spearfishing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.

Baseball will be played at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field and softball at the Tan Ge field. Babauta and Rogolifoi said an estimated $1 million would be needed for construction of a grandstand, repair of the lights, and leveling out the field.

About $1.44 million will be needed for a grandstand at the track and field facility of the Oleai Sports Complex, with an additional $450,000 for more lights.

About $901,000 is needed for renovation purposes at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool. A breakdown showed that $54,000 is needed to procure new pumps and build a new pump house; $35,000 for showers and locker rooms; $50,000 for an office, storage room, and administration space; $175,000 for pool deck and piping; $500,000 for pool renovation; and another $95,000 for fees, equipment, and furnishing.

Among the new projects include a 50-meter pool and tennis courts at the Oleai Sports Complex, a canoe house with toilet and shower facilities at Kilili Beach, and portable toilets and showers at the Marianas High School.

Babauta and Rogolifoi’s breakdown indicated that the new pool would cost an estimated $1.793 million, while construction of the tennis courts would cost about $38,500. The canoe house and its accompanying toilet and shower facilities will cost about $200,000, while the portable toilets and showers for MHS will cost about $127,500, bringing the total cost for new projects over $5.8 million.

The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium also needs a huge facelift, which is estimated to cost about $307,500. About $110,000 will be needed to repair the facility’s bleachers, while another $75,000 is needed for repair of restrooms, showers, and dressing rooms. Painting the facility costs about $60,000, while repair of the roof—which currently leaks—and weather proofing will cost roughly $40,000. The remainder will be used for ventilators, repair of roof gutters, replacing of volleyball standards, and repainting locker rooms.