Agape Gym bounces back 146 days after Sinlaku

Agape Gym, located along Middle Road in Gualo Rai, reopened its doors Sept. 7 with a new $36,000 athletic floor and other improvements, 146 days after Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck Saipan.

The privately owned gym, operated by Agape Christian School, underwent repairs and improvements following damage from the typhoon and water intrusion. While the gym is again welcoming athletes and other users, restoration work is still ongoing. 

Rev. Kok H. Pang, president and administrator of Agape Christian School, said the new athletic flooring alone cost about $36,000. That amount does not include local transportation, installation, labor, and other repair expenses.

“The gym restoration is still ongoing. We also have additional work to do on the shutter doors, walls, roof, and other areas affected by the typhoon and water intrusion,” Pang said. 

The new interlocking elastic sports flooring covers approximately 1,100 square meters and is designed for basketball, volleyball, badminton, pickleball, and other indoor activities.

Compared with the previous epoxy-type surface in some areas, Pang said the new flooring provides better traction and a slightly cushioned playing surface. Its modular design also addresses a problem the gym experienced with water and moisture becoming trapped underneath portions of the old surface.

The new system makes it easier to access or replace individual sections when necessary.

“Our goal is not simply to restore the gym to its previous condition, but to make it safer, more durable, more functional, and easier to maintain over the long term,” Pang said.

He said durability and moisture control are particularly important on Saipan because facilities are regularly exposed to typhoons, heavy rain, humidity, and salt air.

Agape Gym is owned by Agape Christian School but also serves the wider Saipan community, including students, athletes, families, and recreational players.

The gym formally reopened Monday, Sept. 7, following a one-week renovation closure for installation of the new professional athletic flooring and other facility improvements.

Open-gym rates are $3 per person for two hours, $4 for three hours, and $5 for four hours, subject to court availability. Badminton courts cost $8 per hour without lights and $10 with lights.

Full basketball or volleyball court rentals start at $40 per hour, while half-court rentals start at $30 per hour. Pickleball is also coming to the gym, with its badminton courts to be used with appropriate court markings and net height.

Management is asking users to take care of the new flooring. Chewing gum, smoking, and vaping are prohibited, while food, soft drinks, and energy drinks are not allowed inside. Water is permitted.

Pang said the goal is to keep the rebuilt and improved facility available to the community for years to come.

“The better we take care of the facility together, the longer our students, athletes, families, and community will be able to enjoy it,” he said.

For Agape Gym reservations, call or WhatsApp Pang at (670) 989-8570.