Despite the opposition for former President Joaquin Balaguer and several environmental and city groups, President Hipolito Mejia okayed the use of the Mirador del Este Park in Santo Domingo for the construction of sports venues. The city government of Santo Domingo had suggested the use of other lands also located in the eastern side of the city, but the Organizing Committee insists on using the Mirador del Este Park area as this was part of the proposal to the regional sports organization. Any change of plans could result in the country losing the right to host the Games. Jose Joaquin Puello, president of the Pan American Games Organizing Committee said that President Mejia has recommended respecting the ecology of the park that is one of the principal green areas of the eastern side of the city. The Columbus Lighthouse is part of the Mirador del Este Park. Puello said that several of the works will go up at the park as planned. He said some may be built elsewhere. He did not mention which would not be built there, but press reports have mentioned the gymnastics pavilion could be built adjacent to the Quisqueya Ballpark, instead of at the Mirador del Este Park. He also announced that President Mejia authorized the disbursement of RD$22.5 million a month for the construction of sports venues necessary for the Games, as reported in El Siglo. The first disbursement is due this March. Puello met yesterday with President Mejia at the National Palace. He said that the first tender to choose the builders of sports installations will be for the Mirador del Este Park venues. He said that another tender will take place in Venezuela for the remodeling of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center. This will take place in Venezuela as is required by the Venezuelan loan that will finance the construction. The Minister of Sports Cesar Cedeño, Minister of Public Works Miguel Vargas, and the liaison between the Executive Branch and the Organizing Committee, Carlos Cochon were present at the meeting.
