The Lautoka City Council has spent close to $650,000 in renovation costs to get Churchill Park up to Super Rugby standard.
Churchill Park will host the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific first home game against the Crusaders on Saturday next week.
Council CEO Mohammed Anees Khan said renovation works started last October.
Khan said they were delighted to be given the opportunity to host three of the Fijian Drua’s home games.
“There are two big names coming to the Sugar City which include the Crusaders and the Blues. The game against Moana Pasifika is the other one that we will host,” he said.
“It is not the LCC but the whole Lautoka community who will be hosting the visitors.
“We expect a huge influx of tourists for the games, as a result the LCC decided to pump in close to $650,000 to renovate the Churchill Park facility.”
Churchill Park now boasts a new turf.
Khan said the first thing they did was to remove the old turf and put it on ground number three.
“We imported grass seeds from New Zealand and put in a whole new turf with underground drainage and sprinklers,” he said.
“We have imported new goalposts as well to suit the new turf.”
The facility was inspected by World Rugby staff and has been given the thumbs up.
“We have done a professional survey of the dimensions of the ground and have been given the green light,” Khan said.
“LCC has spent money in renovating the other facilities.
“For the first time ever, bucket seats have been installed.
“The washrooms below the stadium have been renovated with new tiling and whole new fixtures and fittings.
“The dressing rooms have been done up with new extra ice baths to suit the Super Rugby requirements.
“The canteen has been removed from the operation area to have more space.
“We will also be working on constructing enclosed media boxes, about three or four soon.
“All these renovations will not only benefit the Fijian Drua but whoever wishes to hire this venue.”
The Fijian Drua will be playing their second match against the NSW Waratahs this Saturday at 8.35pm at the AAMI Park in Melbourne.
