August 17, 2007 - Many local residents have often wondered where the Lee Auditorium, commonly known as the Fale Laumei, got its name.
And now, thanks to the recent multi-million-dollar renovation to the building, everyone that passes by the structure will get a glimpse of the new sign posted on the main entrance that reads: “Governor H.
Rex Lee Auditorium.”
Hyrum Rex Lee served as Governor of American Samoa from May 24, 1961 to July 31, 1967, and then again from May 28, 1977 until January 3, 1978. A Democrat, Lee served as an FCC commissioner from 1968-1973. He passed away on July 26, 2001.
According to Governor Togiola Tulafono, it was Governor Lee’s work that gave the territory a television station, an airport, the Lee Auditorium, and a hospital.
Over the past years, the Lee Auditorium has served as a common venue for hosting different events and gatherings.
And after feeling the wrath of nearly a handful of major hurricanes and tropical cyclones over the past two decades, the building had deteriorated and showed signs of wear and tear.
Renovation work kicked off last year on August 7 and the work was completed nearly a year later, on August 1. On Thursday, August 16, Department of Public Works director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei issued the Certificate of Occupancy for the building to Department of Commerce director Faleseu Eliu Paopao, whose department administered the bulk of the $3,174,000 expended on the project.
Funding for the project came from two different
sources: the Community Block Development Grant from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program, and the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds administered by the Department of Interior (DOI).
DOC deputy director Lelei Peau is credited with securing the funding sources that made the project possible.
The new structure features modern upgrades like a central air conditioning system, state of the art lighting and sound system, newer bathrooms, a kitchen, and conference rooms.
The first event held at the newly renovated Lee Auditorium was the 18th U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting which was hosted locally earlier this week.
The renovated building will be the highlight next year, when the territory hosts the long awaited 2008 Pacific Festival.
The renovation work was carried out by Fletcher Construction, while the design work was done by Joe Wielenman of Wielenman and Associates.
|
