University administrators alongside local and federal stakeholders celebrated the completion of renovations to the UOG Calvo Field House’s main arena on Oct. 8.

“What we have behind us is part of the whole remaking of the campus,” said UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood. “This is the premier facility in all of Micronesia, and this is a really special time for us. We’re happy our local and federal supporters continue to make it possible for us to grow as an institution, receive financial support, and all the things that are helping the University reach new heights.”

The renovations to the Field House main arena—which total $1.03 million—include safer, automated bleacher systems that are ADA compliant and include proper railing and new access points; UV resistant window shades; a new, energy-efficient air-conditioning system; a refinished wood floor and a new floor covering system.

Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Esther Kia’aina said the collaborative efforts between her office, the local government and the University to identify funding helped make the entire project run smoothly. And if not for the dedicated people with boots on the ground, renovations like these would not come to fruition, she said.

“Projects like this don’t happen by themselves,” she said. “It happens because of dedicated people. It is always easy for officials like myself to come here because we provided the funding, but at the end of the day, it was all of these hardworking officials that made sure this project came to fruition.”

Renovations to the main arena are the second-phase of a two-phase, $3 million project funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the University of Guam capital improvement project fund. The main arena services not just the University but also the community at large by hosting many of the island’s major events—including UOG’s Commencement Ceremonies twice a year.

For more information on the Calvo Field House, contact the UOG Athletics Office at (671)-735-2861.

Click here for photos of the renovated Calvo Field House.

 

Cutting the Ribbon. From left to right: Reliable Builders' Phil San Kim, UOG Vice President Randy Wiegand, Office of Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo District Director Jon Calvo, Senator Nerissa Underwood, Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, Assistant Secretary, Office of Insular Affairs Esther Kia'aina, UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood, UOG Board of Regents Chairperson William Leon Guerrero, Student Regent Hage-Ae Paul, Regent Danny Santos, UOG Senior Vice President Anita Borja Enriquez, Vice Speaker of the 33rd Guam Legislature Senator B.J. Cruz and UOG Student Government Association President Jericho Tobias.