by Krystal Paco

Guam - It was last October ground was broken for renovations to Oceanview Middle School's gym in Agat. Fast forward almost a year later and the gym has yet to open for student use. Fresh paint, a new blue-and-red sport court, a new scoreboard, and a wall lined with remote powered bleachers - from the looks of it, the Oceanview gym is ready for a home game since it was condemned in 2001 after a major earthquake.

The problem? According to principal Lynda Hernandez-Avilla, the gym is without a fire alarm system. "When the plans were drawn up for the renovation of the gym, the fire alarm system was not included. I think in 2009 they mentioned that there's a law, any company, any construction must include that in the plan. From my understanding, there was an issue who was going to foot the bill," she told KUAM News.

And it looks like the Department of Education is picking up the bill as part of the $60 million available in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding for capital improvement projects for schools throughout the island. While they wait for the installation of a fire alarm system, which is scheduled from August through November, Hernandez-Avilla hopes they can garner at least a temporary occupancy permit.

But according to Department of Public Works deputy director Carl Dominguez, that isn't possible, if the Guam Fire Department doesn't signoff first, DPW can't inspect. Guam Fire Department spokesperson Ed Artero says the 2009 International Fire Code requires contractors to include a fire alarm system in their plans and contractors Z4 Corporation can't proceed with scheduling a fire inspection without a fire alarm system in place.

Until the gym's opening, students will have to go about physical education classes and sporting events as they have for the last 11 years, using the fields and running through the hallways. "The kids are changing in the classrooms. Letters were given to the parents about how they can prepare because they can't take showers or anything so they have rags, extra clothes, baby wipes to freshen themselves up so when they're done with P.E., they're ready to go and feel comfortable to go to the next class," Hernandez-Avilla said.

Meanwhile, Dominguez says the Oceanview gym isn't the only DOE-renovated facility of concern. The Untalan Middle School gym at the old Barrigada campus had their occupancy permit revoked after a re-inspection from the DPW director and deputy showed that the inspector made a mistake and the gym was in fact, not ready for opening.

Dominguez says he's waiting for DOE to send a request to his agency for a final inspection of the that school's gym.

Both school gym contracts had liquidated damages in place to ensure projects were completed on time, but DOE has yet to respond to KUAM's inquiries on this matter.