UPNG displays what it has on offer

THE University of Papua New Guinea launched its 2015 Pacific Games bid as the official games village – should PNG get the vote – last Friday on campus.
The university community came together on the day to welcome the Pacific Games Association delegates and show its capability to cater and ensure a suitable environment as home to the athletes.
PGA delegates arrived on campus to a rousing and colourful welcome led by students from the Arts Faculty and Vice-Chancellor Prof Ross Hynes and staff.
“It is indeed an honour to welcome you all to the University of Papua New Guinea and for the opportunity to impress upon you our capability to be the true home of athletes for the 2015 Pacific games. We are confident and committed to making this come true,” Hynes said.
The delegates were then shown a Power Point presentation highlighting the university’s facilities.
Plans unveiled during the presentation included development plans for accommodation, recreation and academic area expansions.
An upgrade of about 3,000 beds in accommodation to the required 5,000 will come in the form of 10 new buildings, with work to commence  next year, however, staff housing expansions will be another option.
Other facilities approved for work to commence are the health, retail, catering and public services.
The upcoming developments also coincide with PNG’s National Rugby League Bid, and will include facilities that will raise the standard of sports in a multi-purpose gym and training facilities levelled at maximum performance for our sportsmen and women.
Developments will commence as early as late this year, and will go ahead, even if PNG’s Pacific Games 2015 bid does not get the required number of votes.
The visit by the PGA delegates to the campus was the second pre-planned programme of the weekend after the committees initial presentation at the Crown Plaza Hotel in the morning, and proved to be a successful day overall for the university and bid committee.