SIR IGNATIUS KILAGE STADIUM TO UNDERGO MAJOR FACE LIFT
By Zebedee GIAME
AFTER 34 years since the establishment of the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae, concerns have been raised on its deteriorating state of the facilities that is evident in this sporting facility.
Sir Iginatius Kilage stadium was established in 1991 for the South Pacific Games and have deteriorated over almost 3 decades.
The Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso has confirmed that funding has been sourced for the first stages which include a design.
Mr Rosso says design has been completed by the Lae City Authority while contract procurement for track reconstruction and drainage systems are being progressed.
Mr Rosso says Money does not fall from trees adding his office have been working towards sourcing funding and have secured funding for the first stages.
Mr Rosso says the second Stage will be the upgrading of the existing stadium building.
He confirms that Work is expected to commence in January next year if procurement goes to schedule.
He adds the Lae City Authority currently has one engineer, one architect and one projects supervisor for the whole city which is slowing the process adding until vacancies are filled, then LCA will have to work with what they have.
Vice Sports minister and Bulolo MP Sam Basil. Jr confirmed also that the stadium was built for the 1991 South Pacific Games and is a 34-year old facility that is outgrown by the increase in population as well as other development around the structure.
Mr Basil says other sporting facilities built in Port Moresby has seen changes due to many national, regional and international events hosted there.
But he says the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae needs maintenance and upgrade.
Mr Basil says he would support the proposal by Lae City Authority to incorporate all facilities right up to the Lae Rugby league grounds and vacant recreational reserves.
He says e the city has expanded so as the user population and he would support the improvement of the sporting facilities in Lae.
