FEMA APPROVES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ALLOCATION FOR SPORTS AND CULTURAL
FACILITIES
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210825/fema-approves-multi-million-dollar-allocation-sports-and-cultural-facilities]


Release Date: 
August 25, 2021 

GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO – “We missed being able to come to support
our team here, to have fun, enjoy and suffer with the _Leones_.”
said Rivera. This is how Roberto Ortiz, a fan of the _Leones_ of
Ponce, described the feelings of thousands of fans of the National
Superior Basketball (BSN) league, whose season began with a $33.3
million allocation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). Ten municipal coliseums located in the municipalities of
Arecibo, Bayamón, Carolina, Fajardo, Guayama, Guaynabo, Humacao,
Mayagüez, Ponce and San Juan have FEMA funds assigned to repair their
facilities.

“Sports are an instrument of social development and family
integration that groups people of all ages and conditions, which
translates to a better quality of life. We have assigned funds for
thousands of projects that promote this type of activity, like parks,
community centers and different stadiums,” said the Federal Disaster
Recovery Coordinator for Puerto Rico, José G. Baquero.

An allocation of close to $1.7 million was approved for the Juan
“Pachín” Vicens Auditorium in Ponce for a complete renovation of
the building. According to the mayor of the municipality, Luis
Irizarry Pabón, repairs began prior to the BSN season, but the most
complex ones will be carried out once the season ends. “What we did
now was update it to be ready. Once the season ends, we will change
the lighting, as well as the structural part. That is what we want,
and that people can see that the city is being rebuilt,” the mayor
said.

The allocation also has a positive effect on the professional players
who represent a fan base that will enjoy better facilities in these
coliseums. This was expressed by Carlos Rivera, captain of the
_Leones_ of Ponce, who said that the renovation and opening of the
coliseum will help the team's performance. “We have a group of young
players that for the first time will experience what it is to feel the
house of Pachín. That euphoria of the fans is definitely our sixth
man on the court,” said Rivera.

Likewise, the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón, official home to
the _Vaqueros_ of Bayamón, was awarded close to $1.1 MILLION for
improvements to infrastructure and electronic equipment that will
elevate the quality of the events that are held there.

“For our organization it is beyond important that the facilities are
in optimal condition. The Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum gives us an
opportunity to put on a spectacular show for the enjoyment of all our
fans,” said Melvin Román, Vice President of the _Vaqueros_
basketball team.

A facility adjacent to the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum that will also
be repaired features a system of solar energy panels and batteries
installed over a roofed parking lot that has 165 parking spaces, known
as “Solar Zone.” Close to $593,000 was approved for repairs to the
solar panels, electrical systems and lights.

The total obligations for coliseums include nearly $9.5 million for
the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum, Carolina; nearly $7.1 million for the
Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan; over $5.7 million for the Petaca
Iguina Coliseum, Arecibo; over $2.1 million for the Roque Nido Stella
Coliseum, Guayama; over $1.7 million for the Sports Palace, Mayagüez;
about $1.6 million for the Mario "Quijote" Morales Coliseum, Guaynabo;
nearly $600,000 for the Tomás Dones Coliseum, Fajardo; and nearly
$299,000 for the Humacao Arena Coliseum.

Engineer Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Central
Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resiliency of Puerto Rico,
said that his office remains steadfast in its commitment to this
sector and will continue to facilitate the development of these types
of repairs. “Our responsibility is to ensure we provide the
necessary resources so that athletes can continue their preparation in
the best facilities that we can offer,” added Laboy Rivera.

To access more information on the recovery of Puerto Rico from
Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339
[http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4339] and recuperacion.pr
[http://www.recuperacion.pr/]. Follow us on social media at
Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico [http://www.facebook.com/femapuertorico],
Facebook.com/COR3pr [http://www.facebook.com/cor3pr] and Twitter
@COR3pr [https://twitter.com/cor3pr].

 [Triangular shaped building with bright green light and a group of
people standing in line.] 
PONCE, PUERTO RICO (July 18, 2021) – FEMA approved close to $1.7
million for the Juan “Pachín” Vicens Auditorium in Ponce for a
complete renovation of the building. Repairs include everything from
flooring to security gates, to interior lighting and signage. Also,
over $53,000 was obligated to mitigate future damage to the roofs,
doors and windows in order to make the structure more resilient to
storms. Photo FEMA/Eduardo Martínez

 [Two story grey and yellow building.] 
MAYAGÜEZ, PUERTO RICO (Aug. 15, 2021) – FEMA allocated over $1.7
million for the Sports Palace at Mayagüez. Ten municipal coliseums in
Puerto Rico will regain their previous splendor thanks to an
allocation of over $33.3 million by FEMA. Photo FEMA/ Eliezer
Hernández