A Chinese design team for the Tonga High School Sports Complex to be constructed for the 2019 Pacific Games are in Nuku’alofa for 27-days to finalize their designs and specs.

From the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD), the team is led by Mr Zi Ling and specialists from various fields related to the design of the sports that will be hosted at the complex.

This includes lawn bowls, netball (outdoor), swimming pool, rugby field and an indoor gymnasium that is expected to be multi-purpose and can host several indoor sports like basketball, volleyball, boxing, table tennis, among others.

Lord Sevele Chairman of Tonga 2019 Organizing Committee welcomed the delegation at the TASANOC office at Havelu, where the design team presented their draft, design and concept of the complex and held discussion with the committee on March 23.

TASANOC said today the team will finalize the sports program for the complex with the Government Facilities Committee, in order for them fo finalize their specs and designs.

Andrew Minogue, the Executive Director of the Pacific Games Counsel atttened the meeting and also provided technical information on the venues and facilities on behalf of the Pacific Games Committee.

$33 million

Last year, the Tongan Government confirmed the assistance by the Government of the People's Republic of China to fund the construction of the Tonga High School Complex for $33 million pa'anga.

A survey team from China was in Tonga last year to source out information on various areas related to the proposal for the sports to be held at the complex.

The PRC design team are expected to meet key stakeholders and national federations whose sports are in the complex and also with reference to their respective International Federations.

Teufaiva construction

At the same time, the Government of Tonga through the Ministry of Internal Affairs on 10 March, signed a contract with a New Zealand company Field Drainage Specialists (NZ) Limited, to carry out the Teufaiva construction works for the Pacific Games.

A meeting was to be set today between offcials from the Prime Minister’s office, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Infrastructure with the firm  to provide key stakeholders including contractors, supervisory firms, an opportunity to discuss key project planning, outputs and schedules.

Part one of the proposed works is to be completed in June 2017, with part two set for to be done in December 2017.

This project is  funded through a development initiative from the Government of New Zealand. Design work for the remaining of Teufaiva Stadium is currently underway, stated the Sports Division at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.