Expert to monitor track resurfacing

Tang’s Corp. workers do a clearing job at the track and field facility of the Oleai Sports Complex yesterday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

An expert in building track and field facilities will visit Saipan to check the ongoing resurfacing work at the Oleai Sports Complex.

Michael White, president of Northern Marianas Sports Association, which coordinates the resurfacing project at the Oleai track with contractor Tang’s Corp., said during the NMASA meeting last week that an expert from Australia will be on island next month for a site inspection. White said he was informed by NMSA vice president Kurt Barnes that the expert will oversee the asphalt milling of the track.

Employees of Tang’s Corp. have been clearing the oval since late November. This week, the base surface has been grated and the process will continue in the coming weeks as the contractor awaits materials for the project.

NMSA staff Elias Rangamar, who is in charge of the operations at the sports complex since NMSA executive director Tony Rogolifoi is off-island and won’t be back until Saturday, said the resurfacing project has a long ways to go, especially since it has been raining the past several days.

“They have to clear everything and make sure the surface is really flat before going through the process of resurfacing the track,” Rangamar said.

Rangamar has not seen the specifics of the resurfacing project, but he said that placing and drying the rubberized surface could take a week or two, depending on the weather.

“Then the marking will take longer—about a month—because it has to be precise. I heard that the expert on track resurfacing will come here from time to time to make sure we have the right measurement and right materials for the track. I just hope the weather would cooperate so the work will be done in time,” Rangamar said.

Tang’s Corp. has 150 days since the issuance of notice to proceed (Nov. 15) was released to complete the project. Delays would cost the contractor a fine of $100 per day.

Saipan Tribune has yet to secure a copy of layout of the new track, but according to a website of an Australian-based company specializing in track resurfacing, the usual track has three layers and project completion depends on the weather condition and availability of materials.

The first layer is the base that is made of asphalt, while the second is the seal layer (pouring of specialized glue and grinding/drying the surface). The third is the surface layer, which have rubber particles bound with latex or polyurethane (wet pour). The latex or polyurethane surface is typically installed to a depth of 3/8” to 1/2” on top of an asphalt or concrete base. After each layer, cleaning is required to ensure no other unwanted materials are left that could affect the layering of the surface.

Once the resurfacing work is done, NMSA, through Northern Mariana Athletics, has to get certification from International Association of Athletics Federations to make sure the new track meets international standards. The track has to regain its Level II certification from IAAF to be able to host regional and international tournaments, such as the Pacific Mini Games in 2021.