CASTAWAY Island resort this week opened a $1.6million building facility that houses a restaurant, laundry room and engineering workshop.

Malolo and Mamanuca group of islands chief Tui Lawa Ratu Sevanaia Vatunitu, who was the guest of honour, said staff members could work faster and safer.

He said this was a good time for the resort to celebrate the expansion given it was the festive season.

General manager Steven Andrews said the project was a result of an investment by Outrigger Enterprises Group after it took ownership in 2014, and was a major improvement from its current facilities.

“Previously our engineering workshop was just a flat roof shed which leaked when it rained,” he said.