If you like to fish, boat, or just have fun in the sun, it's the one place you have to stop when making a trip around the island - but the Merizo Pier is more than just a local hangout spot, it's also a popular tourist destination.

Merizo mayor Ernest Chargualaf told KUAM News, "Everybody on the island uses this pier not only the people in Merizo, but when you come here on weekends you got people from Yigo and Dededo coming down to fish off this pier. This is the only park that you can jump off any time of the day or night when the tide recedes or the tide's coming in, other parks when the tide goes out you can't even wade in the water."

Mayor Chargualaf said it's been roughly twenty years since the park was last refurbished, adding, "It's a long time coming. Some of the woods are rotting out and the concrete is all breaking apart, so it needs to be refurbished and we need to restrengthen it."

Governor Eddie Calvo approved a contract with Rex International to repair the Merizo Pier and boat ramp as part of his overall capital improvements agenda. Rex International contract manager Edward Kim said, "It's a repair project, we're going to be replacing some of the bumpers on the side, redo the lights, as you can see a lot of them are broken, we're going to rewire the lights and make sure everything works and maybe replace some of the ladders, as well."

The refurbished pier will have marina-strength reinforced concrete and will address the electrical issues that have prevented the pier from using lights at night, due to concerns over electric shock. The repair is expected to begin within the next month. There is a four-month timeline for the completion of the $133,000 project. The hope is that pier will be completed by early next year in time for next year's Festival of the Pacific Arts.

Said Kim, "This is used a lot by locals and tourists, and I personally come down here sometimes to go fishing, so that's why it's very important that we get this up to speed."

Governor calvo said the pier is important for more than just recreation and that, "we need to encourage people to build a stronger fishing and marine industry. That's why we're building modern infrastructure, so we can support fishermen and entice young Guamanians to fish and to explore oceanic careers."