by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - In Mangilao, a special ceremony was held today to commemorate the start of construction of a new facility that will consolidated functions of the Guam Power Authority and Guam Waterworks Authority. But more importantly it will be named after a woman who has dedicated her life to public service.

"It's an auspicious day for everybody especially for GPA and of course as it is for our sister utility the Guam Water Works Authority," said Joaquin Flores.

Along Route 15 in Mangilao Wednesday morning ground was broken on a project that has come full circle for Flores, the Guam Power Authority's general manager. "In 1994 I was just promoted to the engineering manager for GPA and I was handed this and told, 'Kin, make this work.'"

And now Flores is seeing the fruits of his labor over the past 19 years finally begin to come to fruition as the Guam Power Authority, Guam Waterworks Authority Multi Purpose Facility will start going up in Fadian.

"Far too long separate functions have been spread out through the entire island. Creating inefficiencies, discouraging the kind of collaboration and focus like utilities such as GPA and GWA should be involved with. As part of consolidated utility," he said.

Over the next 18 months you will see CoreTech construct the $26.4 million LEED-Silver Certified facility which will sprawl over 116,000 square feet. The new multi purpose facility will be named after the late Gloria B. Nelson for her commitment to community service. Nelson was a dedicated educator, community advocate, and a former member of the Consolidated Commission on Utilities.

CCU chairperson Simon Sanchez said, "All she stressed was serve the people train and take care of the employees because those employees will take care of you, and today is the culmination of her spirit her recommendation her attitude."

One that lives on within her family, who were present at today's ground breaking ceremony. "Just want to say thank you for recognizing a very important aspect and cultural belief that we all must continue to follow we must serve our people. We must work together and treat our colleagues with respect and be appreciative of their accomplishments. From the bottom of hearts, thank you for honoring our mom thank you for what you do for our island and god bless us all," said family members.

The new consolidated facility should be completed in November next year. Once it's finished it will officially be renamed the Gloria B. Nelson GPA-GWA Public Service Facility.