THE refurbishment work on seven selected schools and institution that will serve as athletes’ accommodation during the Pacific Games 2023 is well underway.
Star Sports has visited one of the Schools, the St Josephs Tenaru National Secondary school where work on the dormitories has started.
The project started since December last year and is expected to be completed within the next seven to eight months just before the Games.
According to a statement from the Games Organizing Committee (GOC), all Games villages are expected to open a week before the Games so athletes can settle in.
The GOC highlighted that these refurbishments will be an enduring legacy; providing, safe, accessible and quality accommodation for students who need to board in Honiara to complete their senior school education.
The project is funded by the Australian Government with a contribution of SBD$100 million.
A funding of SBD$54 million from this contribution has been allocated for the refurbishment of the seven schools and institution’s dormitories which will serve as athlete accommodation during the Pacific
Meanwhile reports confirmed that the Sol2023 DFAT support Steering Committee has met for their second consecutive monthly meeting last week.
The Steering Committee which consists of representatives from; the Australian High Commission in Solomon Islands, the National Hosting Authority Secretariat, the NHA Project Management Unit, the office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury is co-chaired by representatives from the Government (MOFT) and Australian High Commission.
The Committee is established to provide oversight specifically on the overall progress of Australian Government Support project (s) in particular the Construction of Games Villages in preparation for the Games in November.
The Steering Committee is expected to meet monthly.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
Solomon Star, Honiara
