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.
Regional leaders, government officials, and industry executives gathered at the Guam International Airport Authority on Wednesday, July 22 for the inaugural session of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Working Group, driving a unified regional effort to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines.
The commercial adult-use cannabis industry on Guam has officially launched following the issuance of the island's first recreational cannabis cultivation license to local grower Stephen Roberto, operator for Deep Green Guam of Guam Real Deal, LLC.
The Guam Economic Development Authority awarded $316,857.94 in grant funding to 17 local community organizations and public agencies during a check presentation ceremony at Adelup on Wednesday, July 15.
