Matching funds needed for Ada Gym repair

Middle school students play in a league at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, which needs to undergo repairs in preparation for the CNMI’s hosting of the Pacific Mini Games in 2021. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

With the resurfacing project at the Oleai Sports Complex’s track and field facility now moving forwad, Northern Marianas Sports Association will shift its focus on the repair work at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Tony Rogolifoi, executive director of NMSA, which manages the sports complex and its facilities, said in an interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday that they will work on the first stage of improvement work at the Ada Gym. However, Rogolifoi added they will need matching funds (10 percent of the total cost of the project) for the repair work to start.

“We were told by the Department of Public Works that we have to turn in matching funds for the project to begin. The first phase of the repair works at the Ada Gym will cost $169,000, so we need close to $17,000,” Rogolifoi said.

The remaining 90 percent will come from the funds NMSA got from the Federal Emergency Management Agency last year after the association sought for a grant/financial assistance following the damage caused by Typhoon Soudelor to the Oleai Sports Complex.

“Right now, we have no money for the matching funds so we need to ask for help,” the NMSA official said.

Rogolifoi added he will suggest to the NMSA board that it appropriate some money from the group’s earnings from the scratch cards for the matching funds. He will work on reimbursement documents (for lights used at the gym), too and turned them in to FEMA, hoping to get some money that they could put into the matching funds.

The NMSA executive director also said he already sent a letter to the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, requesting for financial assistance that will cover portions of the matching funds.

Rep. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan), who will still chair the SNILD in the 20th CNMI Legislature, acknowledged receipt of the letter a few months ago last year, but since the 19th CNMI Legislature had its sine die last Wednesday, they have to wait for the new session to begin before the request is discussed. The new SNILD won’t start its session until the latter part of this month as the inauguration of the 20th CNMI Legislature will only be held this Monday.

“We are aware of the needed repairs at the Ada Gym and other facilities at the Oleai Sports Complex. We will look into it (matching funds) in our next appropriation budget,” Sablan said in an interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday.

The first phase of the repair work at the Ada Gym includes fixing the leaking roofs, floors, sound system, and scoreboard. Renovations at the Ada Gym and other facilities located at the sports complex are needed as the CNMI prepares for the hosting of the Pacific Mini Games in 2021.