NAVAL BASE GUAM (Jan. 10, 2023) – A $1.7 million contract was awarded to Agbayani Construction Corporation for U.S. Naval Base Guam’s (NBG) Playground Replacement Project. The newly-awarded construction company will be responsible for the replacement of three playgrounds onboard the installation; one each in the North Tipalao, Harbor View, and Lockwood Terrace neighborhoods.
In January 2021, playgrounds were taken offline as part of an upgrade plan to replace and revitalize the parks for the safety of the children and families that utilize them.
“The project funding award is welcome news in the New Year,” said NBG Commanding Officer Capt. Michael Luckett. “This is something our families have been patiently waiting for and I’m glad we’re taking our first steps to getting us safer and upgraded parks and playgrounds.”
The Design-Build Multiple Award Construction Contract involves miscellaneous repairs to all three playgrounds including replacing playground equipment, replacing existing playground
rubber mat floor, repairing cracks at the containment curb, evaluating existing aggregate sub-base material and providing additional aggregate materials necessary to compensate for inadequacy and providing impact protection seamless floor covering for the entire playground.
“The scope of work is for all of the playgrounds, and then individually each playground will undergo their respective overhaul based on what was assessed,” said NBG Public Works Officer Cmdr. Nicholas Leinweber.
North Tipalao’s playground will undergo repairs to steel columns, the addition of a new retractable sail type roof cover, replacement of the existing playground lighting system, and the installation of a new drinking fountain.
Harbor View’s playground will receive new paint and finish to the concrete canopy, the replacement of existing benches, a new drinking fountain, and the replacement of the lighting system.
Lockwood Terrace’s playground will receive a new chain link fence and gate, a new retractable sail type roof cover on the existing canopy, a new drinking fountain, and a new lighting system.
Leinweber said that now that the project has been awarded, a specific timeline is in order:
- Design Build projects require the contractor to first complete pre-requisite drawings and specifications and a final design for the Playground Replacement Project should be expected in Spring 2023.
- Following the completion of the design, demolition work is expected to begin in Summer 2023. During that time materials will be ordered based on the final design.
- Materials should arrive in Fall 2023, with the completion of the upgraded and enhanced playgrounds anticipated just in time for the holidays.
“Because of the climate and the natural exposure to salt water spray on Guam, certain materials will corrode much quicker than they normally would elsewhere,” said NBG Housing Director Berni Aquiningoc. “I’m really excited to hear that we’re able to move forward with refurbishing them for our residents.”
In coordination with NBG’s Public Works Department, Commander, Joint Region Marianas and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) 21 of the 35 existing playgrounds onboard NBG were identified for refurbishment.
NBG Safety Director William Hansel conducted the annual housing playground safety inspections with the guidance of several resources including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Public Playground Safety Handbook.
“We identified deficiencies in numerous playgrounds that are beyond repair,” Hansel said. “We recognize that this was not a popular decision (to close), however to ensure the safety of our families and children we had to remove unsafe playgrounds and remediate the ones that are still viable. It would be unsettling for any of us to even imagine someone getting seriously hurt.”