RNZ reports the Tongan government has approved the location for a new golf course for the 2019 Pacific Games, despite the Organising Committee suggesting one was not needed.
The government's Technical Committee has told Radio Tonga that site has been approved at Siumafua'uta, Popua.
The location is to the east of the old dumpsite at Popua where a new public park was constructed.
The original plan after the various proposed sites were turned down to extend the current golf course at 'Atele.
In October the Prime Minister 'Akliisi Pohiva told Parliament that he had doubts Tonga could host the event, partly because no land had been found for an 18 hole golf course.
However at the time the CEO of the Organising Committee, Lord Sevele, said the current nine hole course would be suitable for the Games and at no stage did they request it be redeveloped into an 18-hole facility.
He said an 18-hole course was looked into but ruled out because it was going to cost too much.
The government said the latest changes are according to the city plan for Tongatapu.
It said Popua was the preferred location because costs for the construction will be largely reduced.
The government has proposed the cost for an extension of the existing 'Atele course would come in at a minimum cost of $US6.2m but they can only allocate $US1.35m towards a golf course.
Preparation of the course and architectural designs has started on the new golf course.
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