The Department of Commerce plans to open the Lee Auditorium for pubic use next month after the completion of major renovation work and installation of new equipment for the facility.
The opening of the Fono session and a presentation on the 2020 Census for the cabinet were held at the Lee last month. But according to Lina Petaia, who manages the Community Development Block Grant Program which is funding the rehabilitation, there’s still some work left before the building is ready for public use.
She said repairs to the building and installation of the air conditioning unit are 85% complete.
Also pending is the installation of a screen and projector.
Petaia says the Lee Auditorium will be open for public use on March 15. In fact DOC is now taking applications for bookings.
DOC is in the process of securing a service contractor for Lee Auditoriu .
Asked if there are any change orders with the contracts for the Lee Auditorium job, the CDBG Manager said everything was on budget.
Four local companies were awarded contracts for the various parts of the rehabilitation project, the first major repairs of the turtle shaped building in nearly ten years.
The contract for repairs to the building was awarded to Pacific Refrigeration for $380,572.44.
Pacific Refrigeration, also got the air conditioning repair contract worth $184,915.
The sound system contract was awarded to Al’s Auto for $28,545.
The contract for the curtains goes to Quality Painting for $26,000.
Repairs of the north wing of the Lee Auditorium will be next.
