Guam - Several of the island's public parks and sports facilities will be getting some much-needed upgrades. The Department of Parks & Recreation will be making some major improvements to the Hagatna Pool and tennis courts, thanks to the approval of the governor's HOT Bonds.

Agency director Ray Blas said, "It's giving Parks & Rec $150,000 for the Hagatna Swimming Pool repairs and $150,000 also to the Hagatna Tennis Court, and also $2.4 million to our parks in Guam. Blas says    the designs will be completed and will go to bid in June, noting, "In July we do the contracting the permitting and mobilization, and in August the construction will start on the Hagatna Pool and the tennis court."

He adds that the playground in between the two facilities will be torn down and he is hopeful that through private donations it can be replaced with new playground equipment.

According to Blas, the $2.4 million will go towards parks like Nimitz Beach, Fish Eye, Ypao Beach, the overlooks, Talofofo Bay and Cetti Bay. Renovations to the parks area will begin in September. As for the lights at the Dededo Sports Complex, Blas said, "$154,000 and it will be completed in May. GHURA, Mr. Albert Santos, the engineer, they are working on I guess the permits."

A total of 27 lights will be installed along the three-fourth mile walking trail. We should note that the lights being installed are a part of a grant from GHURA.