Guam Joins The 'Big Leagues'

The LeoPalace Resort project began in 1989 when Miyama Development International Corporation (MDI) bought 5.2 million square meters of land for $26.5 million. "That was for the raw land," says Nick Captain, Guam real estate appraiser and consultant. "They spent another $150 million on access and infrastructure."

The developers built a 5.5 km (3.5 miles) road, a 10-megawatt power generator and a water treatment plant. In July 1993 the resort opened its 27-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, a clubhouse, two condominium buildings (with 112 units), 52 duplex homes and a small community center. As extensive as the current project is, it represents only one of six clusters in the original plan.

However, the mid-1990s slowdown in the Japanese economy forced MDI to stop construction. During the remainder of the 1990s, the golf course became a favorite among local and visiting golfers, but the empty shell of the hotel building sat as a reminder of more prosperous times.

The project came to life again with the July 2001 completion and opening of the third eight-story condo building with 118 one- and two-bedroom units. In April 2002, an additional nine holes was added to the golf complex. And the pace of construction has only increased. The current project will represent a $1.8 billion investment when complete according to Jose Manzon, former LeoPalace director of administration.

Running track and facilities at the LeoPalace complex. Photo: Frank Whitman

The 208-room Hotel Belvedere opened in mid-October 2003 and houses three restaurants, a coffee shop and a 16-lane, state-of-the-art bowling center. The hotel, its water park and an elaborate wedding chapel (a mandatory feature in Guam's Japan-oriented visitor market) sit on the edge of a manmade lake. A beach volleyball court of imported sand sits on the lakeshore.

A fourth condominium building was completed in 2003. And a fifth sits on the drawing board until demand justifies its completion.

Lights and scoreboards are up at three baseball fields and two softball fields. Covered stadium seating is being built at the main baseball field. The all-weather track encircles the main soccer field and a field house was recently completed. The complex also contains four lawn tennis courts and a practice soccer field.

The swimming complex consists of two outdoor 50 meter by 25 meter pools with an electronic timing system. Adjacent to the pool is an indoor fitness center and a three-lane, 25-meter lap pool is nearby for other fitness-minded guests.

All sports facilities are built to international standards to create a first-class training and competition center for athletes from all over the world. "Guam is a great hub for the Pacific Rim," says Yutaka Maruyama, the project's general manager. "It is easily accessible. We just had the East Asia Soccer Tournament with teams from Macao, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia and Korea." In April 2003, the Oceania Baseball Championships were played at the resort's baseball field.

Marketing, though, has centered on Japan. The Yomiuri Giants professional baseball team held a Guam training camp in January and is scheduled to return in the coming year. The Japan national women's softball team and J-League professional soccer teams have held camps at LeoPalace.

Japanese swim teams have also made good use of the aquatic facilities. Then-world record holder Kosuke Kitajima was the first swimmer in the water after the complex's ribbon-cutting ceremony in May 2003. The ceremony took place as Japan's national team was holding a one-week training camp at LeoPalace to prepare for that summer's World Championships.

Since then, the national swim team has returned for several camps. Last December, 15 Japanese college and club swim teams and one water polo team held training camps at the aquatic facilities. The national synchronized swim team has held several training camps in Guam.

During the Japanese winter, training in the international-standard 50 meter pools is particularly valuable. Coaches view the distance from beaches, nightclubs and other distractions of Tumon, Guam's traditional tourist center, an added benefit. "This is a first class facility," says Koji Ueno, Japanese national coach through an interpreter. "We cannot have this kind of situation in Japan. Even the food is good."

Murayama became general manager of LeoPalace Resort July 1. He hopes to attract local customers and tourists staying in Tumon for day visits. Under consideration for the future are a spa that would include sports muscle massage, a golf academy for local and visiting beginners (golf remains the resort's biggest attraction), and additional duplex housing - "very popular among local people. We have a long waiting list.

"There will be a variety of ways to use this facility which we haven't even thought about," says Murayama, optimistic and sensitive to the demands of the market. "The potential is huge."