The new Department of Youth and Women Affairs Gym in Tafuna is the last major construction project of the Lolo Lemanu administration to be dedicated before Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga leaves office.
The blessing and opening of the new gym, situated between the Office of Motor Vehicles and South Pacific Academy, took place yesterday.
Director of Public Works Faleosina Voigt said four companies submitted bids and Nana’s Corporation won the contract to build the gym with a bid of $2,690,000.
The bid amount did not include the parking lot, drainage and the fence around the building.
The actual cost for the new building is estimated at $3,959,830.
The building is not just a gym. In addition to play courts for various sports, the facility also contains conference and training rooms, bathrooms, exercise rooms and a kitchen on the first floor. The second floor has more rooms, a kitchen and a spectator area.
Director Voigt presented the Certificate of Occupancy while the owner of Nana’s Corporation, Mrs Fiapa’ipa’i Fruen handed the keys to the building to Acting Director of Dept. of Youth & Women’s Affairs Pa’u Roy Ausage.
The dedication was well attended by church leaders, Fono members, business owners, traditional leaders and directors.
The President of the Seventh Day Adventists, Pastor Uili Solofa, offered prayers and thanked Governor Lolo and the administration for this and so many other projects.
The governor told the crowd that ever since his administration took office he has looked for ways to promote local companies and local labor force. He said that the new gym is just one way that this goal has been realized.
“Several major projects have been built by our own people,” he said. “For example, airport improvement projects which allows money to circulate in the Territory’s economy.”
Lolo noted that before he became governor, it saddened him to see big companies from off-island taking millions of dollars away from local companies. He encouraged business owners to continue to do what they can to employ our people.
Lolo gave special thanks to Nana’s owner Mrs Fruen for her fighting spirit and emphasized the significant role of women in his administration.
He said it has been proven time and time again that women never hesitate to take leadership positions if given a chance.
In his final remarks, Governor Lolo said he has asked Fono leaders to support Governor-Elect Lemanu and Lt. Governor-Elect Talauega Eleasalo Ale’s administration just as they had helped his. “It’s our government so please offer your help as you see fit.”
Lolo then asked for everyone’s forgiveness and said he prays that the Lord will continue to protect American Samoa from COVID-19. He added that while it is a deadly virus, COVID-19 has been a blessing for American Samoa with all the related grants the territory has received.
The Directer of Catholic Youth Father Asalemo Asalemo Jr. sprinkled holy water to bless the new gym and First Lady Cynthia Malala Moliga cut the ribbon to officially open it.
