THE long-delayed Lautoka Swimming Pool project is edging closer to completion, with tenders for the final phase of works closing earlier this month.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa confirmed the development on Monday while officiating at the opening of the upgraded Lautoka bus terminal.
“The tender for the Lautoka Swimming Pool closed on January 13 this year,” Mr Nalumisa said.
“The Lautoka City Council is working hard to complete and open the swimming pool before the end of this year.”
The update was delivered as part of a series of project announcements for the city, which also included the opening of the new bus terminal and the upgrade of market facilities.
Mr Nalumisa thanked Lautoka residents for their patience as the project moves toward its final stages.
Originally launched in 2017 as an Olympic-standard facility, the swimming pool project stalled in 2019 following severe mismanagement and complications with the original contracts.
The project’s estimated cost escalated from $2million to about $12.6m, triggering public concern and criticism.
It is now being rescoped, with new contractors engaged in what authorities describe as a final push toward completion.
