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New stands at the Veterans Memorial Stadium set to be completed
in time for Pacific Arts Festival
Local residents visiting the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna will see a very big difference across the field on the opposite side facing the grand stand, where employees from the Department of Public Works have been working hard to construct a new stand set to be completed in time for the territory to host the upcoming 10th Festival of Pacific Arts on July 20 – August 2.
According to DPW director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei, the new stands are about 90% complete and funding for the project is being generously provided by the Arts Festival committee from their budget.
In addition to the new seating area for spectators, Taeaotui said there are about a half dozen rooms being installed on the lower level, in addition to bathrooms and facilities that, if it pleases the Arts Festival Committee, could be used as locker rooms by the territory’s young athletes during sporting events.
Public Works employees began construction of the project earlier this year in February. Taeaotui said that four months later, the project is headed for completion, which is much quicker than what was expected.
The DPW director credits the local business community, whom he says played a major role in assisting with the speedy progress of the project. According to Taeaotui, owners of local building supply stores have been able to provide all the materials requested in a timely fashion, resulting in the project moving forward with no delays.
“I want to really give credit to our local business owners who have helped us with this project,” Taeaotui said. “Without their help, this project would not have been carried out this fast.”
The DPW director was excited when Governor Togiola Tulafono visited the project site, saying that the Governor was very pleased with the progress of the work, and encouraged them to move full speed ahead.
Taeaotui said that with good weather conditions, the project should be fully completed and dedicated by the end of this month.
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