A United States military engineering group is expected to begin work to renovate the national gymnasium in the Marshall Islands later this year.
Nearly four years ago a portion of the roof collapsed, forcing closure of the country's only public indoor gymnasium.
Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands Photo: RNZ
Details of the renovation and who will foot the estimated 1.4 million US dollar bill are to be decided by a committee of US and Marshall Islands representatives in April.
No starting date has yet been scheduled as officials are awaiting final approval of project.
The gymnasium which was built in 1997 with funding from the Japanese government, closed to public use in June 2011 when termite damage caused a portion of the roof to collapse.
In 2013 Japan turned down a plea from the Marshalls government to fund the gym's renovation.
