A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 3 for the long-awaited renovations of the Hagåtña Pool.
This marks the second public pool project Angel R. Sablan, Department of Parks and Recreation director, has been tasked with since joining the administration, he said.
“I never thought that I’d be able, during my term at least, to get this pool open,” Santos said.
BME & Sons Inc. was selected as the contractor for the $8.8 million renovation project and has one year to complete it.
Adelup said in a statement that the Hagåtña Pool project is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The Office of the Governor of Guam hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the Hagåtña Pool on June 3. Photo by Skyler Obispo
Additionally, Amorient Engineering was selected for the architectural and engineering designs for the project.
Vincent P. Arriola, Department of Public Works director, said he is confident in BME & Sons to get the project done on time.
“They’re reputable, they’ve gotten great quality work, and I have no doubt this project, when they’re all done, is going to be something that we can all appreciate,” he said.
The renovations will fix major structural issues, modernize its filtration system, and improve its bathhouses.
Santos said that the Hagåtña Pool, an Olympic size swimming pool, can hold up to 660,000 gallons of water. The Harmon Complex Pool holds up to 96,000 gallons of water in comparison.
Acting Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio said that Hagåtña Pool is a fixture in the community.
“[Public swimming pools] are a gathering place for the very young, the very old, and every age in between,” he said.
Tenorio also reflected on Guam’s history with competitive swimming.
“For decades, individual swimmers and teams that trained here in Hagåtña, represented Guam in regional, national, and international sporting events,” he said.
The Guam International Airport Authority announced on July 10, that the facilities at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam has been designated as a support location for Resolute Force Pacific 2025
Andersen Air Force base has not had enough housing for its personnel, an issue common to all bases, with about 40% of military personnel on Guam living in the community, according to Journal files.
Vera Topasña, executive director of the office of the governor’s Community Defense Liaison Office (CDLO), presented a detailed update on Guam’s defense-related construction, grant funding, and military mitigation efforts during the Mayor’s Council of Guam meeting on July 9.
Guam’s governor and military officials discussed foreign labor and other issues connected to the more than $5 billion in construction projects in Guam expected over the next three to five years.
