A stadium with a 30,000-seating capacity and several hotels form part of plans to develop the Nadi Bay area in the next 10 to 20 years, says Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka.
He told The Fiji Times’ online platform, The Lens @177, this would allow for the accommodation of more visitors and the hosting of international sporting events.
“We have a number of investors going through the process,” Gavoka said, adding the growth of the Nadi Bay area would be “phenomenal”.
“Some of the plans are quite gigantic, really huge.
“We’re talking about a sports stadium, a 30,000 to 40,000-seater, five or seven hotels around it, parks and all sorts of entertainment and recreational facilities within the Nadi area.
“Dialogue is happening, approvals are happening. Acquisition of land, we’ve identified the land but that’s what we will be expecting.”
Gavoka said the whole Nadi Bay – from Vuda, Lomolomo, Naisoso – is still only 10 per cent developed, and that “there’s still a lot more to go”.
“Denarau will have 12 properties, I think we’re up to seven, and there should be a max of 12 properties at Denarau, in addition to the accommodation and other businesses in the area.
“So, Denarau has started it. We can replicate Denarau in other parts of Nadi Bay up to Saweni or Vuda, and there are plans in place for that.”
Gavoka said the response from sporting bodies is that if you build a decent stadium in Fiji, you will see a lot more international competition in the country.
“I think the national stadium is at par with international standards, but then Suva doesn’t have accommodation.
“If you can build it in the West, a good sized stadium, the accommodation, facility and structure is there.
“So, if anything, I’d like to see a stadium built in the immediate future.”
