Tonga's Teufaiva Stadium in the capital, Nuku'alofa, currently in a very poor condition, is scheduled for a TOP$24 million (US$10.9 million) reconstruction project in preparation for the hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games.
The final of the Lavengamalie Rugby Cup Tournament 2015-2016 at Teufaiva on Saturday, 9 January, was the last major sports event to be held at the stadium. Until it is renovated, Tonga will be without a national stadium.
Takitoa Taumoepeau, the Secretary General of Tonga’s Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) and a member of the 2019 Pacific Games Organizing Committee, told Matangi Tonga on 13 January that a New Zealand based company, Creative Spaces had been approved as the project management for the upgrading of the Teufaiva Stadium.
Taumoepeau said reconstruction work is expected to start within two months.
TASANOC, he said is awaiting confirmation from government before a construction company is approved to start the work.
The upgrade of Teufaiva Stadium will include a new playing field, a new turf, new athletics track to accommodate eight lanes, and renovation of the grandstand to meet international standards, was estimated to cost TOP$24 million.
Taumoepeau said the New Zealand government had donated TOP$3 million (US$1.36 million) and while the Tongan government had allocated some funds “but progress is being held back”.
He said the upgrade was expected to take about 17 months. If work starts soon, it should be completed sometime in 2017.
“We should then be able to open and test the facilities before 2019, said Taumoepeau.