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Sports |
On the verge of
collapse
K3million needed for
upgrade of Lae's premier stadium
By HAIVETA KIVIA
AN expert on building and construction says it will require up
K3 million by the third PNG Games organisers and the Papua New
Guinea Sports Foundation to renovate and get ready the Sir
Ignatius Kilage Stadium for the upcoming PNG Games.
The 16-year-old stadium was built by Chinese Government for
Papua New Guinea to co-host the ninth South Pacific Games in
1991, which was jointly held in Lae and Port Moresby.
Port Moresby’s Sir John Guise Stadium of similar design is also
believed to be in similar situation but its wear and tear is
reported to be very big.
It repair bill could be more than that of the stadium
construction.
Designscope Architect, a major architect firm in Lae was
instructed by the PNG Sports Foundation to carry out audit of
the facility and has completed its findings and has handed over
the report to PNGSF. One of its officers confirmed doing the
audit for PNG Sports Foundation.
The National asked an expert on buildings and construction, and
he said he would to have a look at the audit report of the
facility to be really sure.
He said the audit has to be tendered for construction firms to
bid for and they in tend have to put forward their material
lists, to be really sure of a figure.
But, he said with the Indoor Complex needs a complete overhaul
of the entire floor, the cost will be substantial.
“That one particular job is big job and it would cost a lot of
money and when you are looking at the whole stadium, it would
probably cost between K2 million and K3 million,” he said.
The PNG Sports Foundation regional manager John Paliau said he
had sent the report to their head office in Port Moresby and was
awaiting feedback.
The stadium needs a completely new floor for the Indoor Sports
Complex, the outdoor netball courts also need resurfacing, the
outdoor volleyball court needs new mat to be laid and the
Outdoor synthetic track needs fixing in a lot of areas.
The stadium recently has become homes for the some of staff of
the PNG Sports Foundation and those working at the stadium, and
their families. Even, change rooms in the Indoor Complex are
either being used as laundries and kitchens by squatters.
The Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium is not only hired out to
sporting bodies but is used for cultural shows, independence
celebration, Christian conventions and other big occasions and
is money making asset.
Many sports have questioned where all the monies for the hire of
the stadium had gone to and can it be recovered to fix the place
up for the games.
 
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