TONGA – Tonga will need to find up to NZ$73.6 million to fund the Pacific Games in 2019 according to a consultant’s report, but the real cost could be more than NZ$100 million, according to a report in Kaniva News.

Consultants Beca International said their cost estimates were accurate within a range of minus 15 to plus 40 per cent, which means they might be slightly less, but could be nearly half as much again which would bring the cost to just over NZ$100 million.

And the estimate does not include a range of other requirements.

According to the Beca report no allowances have been made for facilities such as seating and marquee type shading, or specialist equipment such as electronic clocks, scoreboards or PA systems.

These are expected to be borrowed, or leased for the Games and Beca has suggested that Tonga’s Games committee liaise with its counterparts running the 2016 Brisbane Games to see what portable facilities might be available.

“We recommend that wherever possible facilities required specifically for the Games only such as change rooms, toilets, spectator seating, administration and officials should utilise temporary and relocatable buildings that can be gifted or sold to other organisations after the Games,” the report said.

According to the report no allowances have been made for statutory consent approvals and dedicated costs and fees.

All facilities used in the Games have to meet international standards, particularly those of the International Rugby Board and the International Amateur Athletics association.

The main expenditure items are work on the Tonga High School, the rugby sports field and a new golf course.

Work on the Tonga High school site is estimated to cost NZ$30.32 million for an indoor sports hall ($26.85m); administration, change and toilet building ($1.94m); rugby and league field ($0.47m); hockey field, netball and tennis courts ($0.51m): bowls rink ($0.35m); general landscaping, paving ($0.2m).

According to the report, NZ$13.67 million will need to be spent on the Teufaiva National Stadium. The estimated costs are:

Sports field for rugby and league ($2.5m); athletics track ($2.6m); flood lights ($2.4m); parking, paving and general site works and fencing ($0.64m)

Other costs amounting to $4.53 million are estimated for a roof replacement, refurbishment and extension of change rooms, officials’ offices, VIP area, entrance for players and VIPs and general upgrade of the stadium, an upgrade of water supply and wastewater treatment systems and the purchase of turf maintenance equipment.

The other major cost item is the existing golf course at Sia’atoutai Theological College which will need to be redeveloped to a par 72 facility with clubrooms. Costs are estimated at being between NZ$6.5 and $8.7 million.

The consultants have warned that timing is critical if the Games are to be delivered successfully.

“While 2019 appears to be a long period within which to prepare for the Games, there are several activities and key infrastructure and facility developments that are already time critical,” the report says.

Key requirements for successful delivery of the Games will include making sure there is enough money to meet the kingdom’s commitments, ensuring the golf course and other sites are secured and that targets for design, procurement of services and building are met.

Playing surfaces will need to be maintained well before the Games begin.

The key to the 2019 Pacific Games will be the development of the Police Compound site, according to the Beca report.

Beca International said while Tongatapu did not have all of the facilities required it already had many venues that were suitable.

In most cases these met the standards of the Games Charter.

Of the 26 sports expected to feature, 19 were located in what the report termed the Nuku’alofa Cluster.

“Key to the success of the Nuku’alofa cluster is the Police Compound site which is able to accommodate two rugby and ruby league fields,” the report said.

“Along with a further field on the Tonga High School site, this will allow all games to be played either on these new grounds, or in the case of medal games in the Teufaiva National Stadium.”

The report said that most of the venues were within walking distance of each other, which was appropriate given the idea of the 2019 competition being the “Walking Games.”

- Kaniva Pacific