THE upgrade of Lautoka’s Churchill Park stadium will commence once revenue streams are strengthened, says the city council’s CEO, Mohammed Anees Khan.
Mr Khan said the council intended to have the wooden pavilion B replaced with a concrete one, a move that will create more seating capacity and modern facilities for change rooms, media boxes and corporate hospitality.
“Currently, we have an engineering consultant engaged to design some repairs to the roof of the main pavilion and create a broadcast camera platform as well,” he said.
Mr Khan said the same consultant was designing a series of advertising billboards along the embankment, a digital scoreboard, replay screen and corporate hospitality facilities.
He said some commercial spaces could be leased out.
“This is planned to be implemented in the next two to four years.
“The council has recently carried out some upgrade works on the turf, especially the irrigation and drainage systems.”
The irrigation work on the turf will have the installation of new water pumps and storage tanks with boreholes to assist with turf maintenance during dry seasons.
Mr Khan said large scale events such as the upcoming Super Rugby matches earmarked to take place in April and May in Lautoka would boost revenue flow.
“Large events such as the Drua home games bring a large number of foot-traffic into Lautoka city,” he said.
Mr Khan said this comprised spectators, support services for the event setup, caterers, transport providers as well as clothing and textile businesses.
“We estimate up to 10,000 people or more converging into Lautoka’s CBD for these large events.
“The spending by these people is helping out the food, beverage, accommodation, transport and service sectors of the local economy of Lautoka.”
Mr Khan said residents of Lautoka had an advantage as they could experience watching Super Rugby matches in Churchill Park instead of paying extra costs to travel abroad.
“These games also attract a reasonable number of tourists to Lautoka which is also beneficial not only to the local economy, but the national economy as whole.”
