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10/27/2025 - The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (DCCA) presented its plans for the Oleai Sports Complex Development Center and the Cultural Events Center during a Department of Coastal Resources Management (DCRM) public hearing on Friday—the final step before the project moves into the construction bidding phase.
DCCA has already secured zoning permits for both facilities on separate dates. The DCRM coastal permit is the last approval needed before bidding can begin. DCRM’s role is to ensure that any construction near the coast meets environmental standards and is carried out responsibly.
John Gourley of Micronesian Environmental Services gave the presentation, outlining plans for both projects, utility availability, and other site-related topics.
Civil Engineer Mariano Iglesias from the CNMI Office of Planning and Development (OPD) said approval from DCRM could come anytime between this week and the next two months. Once approved, DCCA plans to open bidding and begin work on the Oleai Sports Complex Development Center in January, followed by the Cultural Center.
The proposed sports complex—featuring a new swimming pool, two tennis courts, a bullpen and batting cage, and a concession stand—was unanimously approved by the Commonwealth Zoning Board in August. During that meeting, community members, athletes, and families voiced support for the project, especially for the addition of the swimming pool and tennis courts.
Just like the Zoning Board public hearing, some members of the public voiced their comments and support of the project.
Swimming Federation president John Hirsh said, “I can’t express enough how transformational this project is. A 50 meter regulation size pool will put us on the map in terms of international tourism with teams coming in, and also most importantly, be an incredible benefit to our community not only for swimmers and also the pool will be divided in half. It will be like a movable bulk head so that will allow swim teams to practice on one side and manåmko' doing water aerobics on the other side, or the police department or search and rescue to do scuba diving training, and the list goes on.”
National swimmer and Marianas High School student Nagi Tenorio said, “I am in full support of this project. As locals here on island surrounded by beautiful beaches, I believe that it is culturally and physically important to be able to know how to swim and learn survival skills within water… I know way too many people who are scared of the ocean and don’t know how to swim in general. As mentioned throughout the presentation, this swimming pool will be the perfect place to learn and explore fundamental knowledge about swimming for everyone.”
Then Alex Sablan, Northern Marianas Sports Association board member and chair of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers for the Tourism, Infrastructure, and Sports Committee said, “I want to thank Mariano. This is a pool and facility that is absolutely needed in the Commonwealth… But it is the question we have as well that we have at the NMSA, and it's something I’d like to pursue as GCEA chair which is the cost of operating a pool. There is still the question of are we still able to afford to do this considering the current conditions we’re having in the Commonwealth, but we hope to assure you that we’re going to find a way.”
By Leigh Gases
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