FSC taps into sports tourism
THE Fiji Sports Council (FSC) is in talks to build accommodation near the Vodafone Arena to continue the growth of the sporting industry by tapping into sports tourism.
FSC chairman Peter Mazey revealed this during the Fiji Institute of Accountants Symposium, stating the council had commenced with demolishment of the former Laucala Bay Secondary School.
“It is being totally cleared as we speak and through public and private partnership a series of new buildings will be there,” Mr Mazey said.
“We have already had meetings with a number of investors, all local, in
Fiji who have expressed interest in being part of this new development and these will include at the moment a new 15-storey three-star hotel because it is right next to the university and needed to continue the growth in sports, hosting of sports tournaments and sports tourism.”
He added there would also be plans to have a budget hotel which would be a dormitory type of accommodation to bring out teams from the islands.
According to Mr Mazey, discussions were underway in regards to the Vuvale partnership with the Australian government.
“We have indicated we require a Pacific sports academy right down in front of the Vodafone Arena and we are having very favourable talks with Australia to fund that as we speak.
“That is to be for the whole Pacific as we have found out that our athletes and other athletes from other countries to participate in sports and train.”
He added this would make it more worthy for other countries to invest in.
Laucala Bay is set out to be totally developed according to Mr Mazey, as there will be more multipurpose courts established.
“All these development will provide the funding for sports through the investment in a multi-use mixture of commercial and sports facilities.”