The Government spent approximately $4.9million towards the redevelopment of Ba’s Govind Park from 2016 to 2020.
Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar noted in her response to a question in parliament seeking an update on the reopening of the park.
She said this funding had been used to pay for the assessment report, demolition of the two existing pavilions, rebuilding of the fence and the construction of the new pavilion and associated structures.
She added the pavilion structure had been completed in accordance to the scope of work.
“The specifics include a 9000 seating capacity pavilion, two restroom, four change room, one conference room, two dormitories, a corporate box, two media rooms and two kiosk outlets,” Mrs Kumar said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on the project completion. Due to the COVID-19 restriction for the safety of Fijians and to contain the spread of the virus, the construction work was stopped.”
Mrs Kumar said there were some works that remained pending and must be completed to get the stadium ready for local and international sporting events.
She said this was Phase II that included installation of the EFL transformer, floodlights, ground upgrade, drainage work, ticket booth and transport management study.
“The contractor also needs to fix the defects picked up by the Project Manager and CIU in the first phase for example, the cupboard sink bench counter, sink for the two big kiosks were not done, incomplete tiling work, incomplete painting work, non-compliance, disabled toilets’ specification, plastering work and some works done but not as per the scope hence, all these need to be rectified.
“The Ministry of Local Government, Construction and Implementation Unit and Ba Town Council are coordinating the implementation of the second phase including the addressing of the defects that were found by the Project Manager.
“The Ba Town Council with a team of Special Administrators are targeting to reopen Govind Park early next year which is 2023.”
The 40-year-old Govind Park was damaged at the height of TC Winston in February 2016.
Mrs Kumar said the Ba Town Council had engaged a consultant to carry out a preliminary assessment of the pavilions and the damage assessment report revealed that the steel and timber pavilion structures were in a very poor condition and was not able to hold spectators during sports event.
She said the report further provided that the pavilions were to be prohibited from any usage or public seating.
“Based on the Report, Ba Town Council had no other option but to consult the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Infrastructure to assist in the preparation and advertisement of a public tender to reconstruct Govind Park.
“On 22 January, 2018, Ba Town Council signed a contract with the contractor to carry out the re-development of Govind Park.”
