PNG Rugby League stadium to be upgraded

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Games Village design coming

THE design for the Games Village ? one of the major projects undertaken by the 2015 Pacific Games Venues, Infrastructure and Equipment Committee ? will be presented soon.

Minister for Sports and 2015 Pacific Games, Justin Tkatchenko made it known on Tuesday night in Port Moresby.

The venue stands to cost K300 million is set to house more than 1500 athletes and officials with multiple low rise blocks of accommodation with capacity to hold four people further easing the educational institute?s demands for future usage.

Featured in this development will be ablution blocks, laundry facilities and common areas for athletes to meet.

Plans are mooted for the village to be completed by end of 2014, approximately six months before the opening of the Games.

?It?s a win win situation where the upgrades of the facilities and the University of Papua New Guinea makes it a bigger and better university allowing for people out there to go and study once the Games are over,? Tkatchenko said.

He said it would allow for a better environment for people to study a long-term plan has been considered.

?We will have fantastic living quarters as well with a big investment for the Games but a long-term development of the university,? Tkatchenko said.
He said other developments carefully being looked at is the Bisini Parade sporting facilities which include netball, softball, soccer, rugby union, rugby league, and cricket.

?All these facilities will be upgraded and those particular sporting associations have already submitted their details to the VIEC committee and we need to ensure that they are taken care of.?

He said all the sporting codes have been involved in this upgrading exercise in readiness for the Games.

Upgrading the Lloyd Robson oval to national stadium status is another development being mooted with close consultation with the Port Moresby Rugby Football League.

?So you will see a huge change at the Bisini Parade area,? he said.
Works on these facilities should begin next year according to VIEC chairman Andrew Potter.

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20121004/sport01.htm

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Talks on to rebuild stadium

There are plans for two premier sporting facilities in the National Capital District to be upgraded to a national stadium status.

They are Port Moresby Rugby Football League ovals at Boroko and the run down Sir Hubert Murray stadium at Konedobu.

These two facilities are now in the developments to be undertaken by the national government according to Minister for Sports and 2015 Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko.

Tkatchenko, who met with the Pacific Games Authority Board and the various 2015 Pacific Games committees on Tuesday at the Ela Beach Hotel, said this after the meeting which also saw the presentation of the Sir John Guise stadium’s indoor and outdoor redevelopment.

He while development for the 2015 Pacific Games will be carried out at the Bisini Parade, the PRL is a different scenario where talks with Port Moresby Rugby League would proceed to rebuild the facility host international matches.

“Rugby league is the national sport where we want to prioritise its facilities as the current capacity cannot hold more people leaving many disappointed outside,” Tkatchenko said.

While costs of the two re developments could not be revealed, it is a long-term plan as the government seriously look its sporting facilities improve also the training needs of its athletes.

Talks are now being held with Motu Koitabu people over the Sir Hubert Murray stadium – long overdue for refurbishment.

“We are now talking to Motu Koitabu people for the Sir Hubert Murray stadium to undergo redevelopment,” Tkatchenko said.

The one-time premier sporting facility which has hosted some of the major international tournaments is now an eyesore with its stadium and oval filled with tall grass despite certain competitions being played on weekends.

It is anticipated that the stadium will hold a capacity of 200,000 but that would depend on the scope of work carried out.

Tkatchenko said a company that has been operating in the country for more than 30 years has put its hands up to start work on the stadium with no cost to the government.

“There is a company who has been operating in the country for over 30 years willing to build the stadium free of charge but we are negotiating with the Motu Koitabuans to redevelop the place,” Tkatchenko said.

While this facility may be utilise for the 2015 Pacific Games if given the approval to host soccer and rugby union competitions.

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/

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200,000??!? Surely not!