OPD awards A&E contracts for Oleai Sports Complex and Cultural Events Center Facilities Development Projects
BLOG POST | March 17, 2023
On March 2 and 7, 2023 respectively, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Office of Planning and Development (OPD) issued Notices to Proceed on the architecture and engineering design contracts for the Oleai Sports Complex and Cultural Events Center Facilities Development Projects. These projects are two of the CNMI's premier socio-economic development priority projects funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Through the Oleai Sports Complex Project, the goal is to develop a state-of-the-art sports complex that will make the CNMI a prime venue for large-scale regional sporting events, boost tourism, and allow Micronesia's athletes and the community to excel in the sport of their choice. Through the Oleai Cultural Events Center, the goal is for the area to be a walkable, accessible space for the community to enjoy that will be codesigned for a variety of goals and will reflect principles of "Smart, Safe Growth” development.
"Sports Center Concept - Aerial"
An aerial-view mockup of the Oleai Sports Complex once the project is completed. Included in this concept are an Olympic-sized swimming pool, International Tennis Federation-compliant tennis courts, a revitalized baseball stadium, and associated facilities. The Oleai Sports Complex and Cultural Events Center Facilities Development Projects are projects under the CNMI Office of Planning and Development and funded through a $21.2 million dollar grant awarded to the CNMI by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in June 2021.Both projects are funded through a $21.2 million EDA grant that was awarded to the CNMI in June 2021. The CNMI Infrastructure and Recovery Program (IRP) is providing technical assistance and conducting surveys to ensure that both projects meet EDA Special Awards Conditions and Construction Standards.
“With the positive reception to the CNMI hosting the Pacific Mini Games last year, it's crucial that we continue to invest in our athletic facilities and continue to put the CNMI on the map as a prime destination for more large-scale regional sporting events in the future,” said OPD Acting Director Christopher A. Concepcion.
“Cultural Center Concept”
A top-down concept of the Oleai Cultural Events Center, which will be across the street from the renovated and revitalized Oleai Sports Complex. The Cultural Events Center will be a walkable, accessible space for the community to enjoy that will be codesigned for a variety of goals and will reflect principles of “Smart, Safe Growth” development.“Once completed, the Oleai Cultural Events Center will be a prime location to host community events year-round and will provide the CNMI's arts and culture-focused entrepreneurs a space to thrive. We're all excited to see these projects moving forward; we thank EDA, IRP, and all stakeholders for their work on these projects,” said OPD Project Coordinator Amber Weston.
These projects align with and exemplify Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #3: Good Health and Well-Being, #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG #9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG #11: Resilient Communities, #13: Climate Action, #15: Life on Land, and #17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The Oleai Sports Complex and the Cultural Events Center will equip the CNMI with the means and facilities to explore sports tourism and cultural tourism for years to come, expanding socio-economic sustainability as well as bolstering cultural cohesion and identity. Furthermore, the Oleai Sports Complex will continue to be an accessible facility for the community to use, as it is today.
Learn more about the SDGs and the action plans and projects to achieve them in the CNMI's Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan through our office's website at: https://opd.gov.mp/assets/2021-2030_cnmi_csdp.pdf.
Download the full PDF document here.