A TP$60 million (NZ$39 million) development plan to build a sandy beach, a public park, complete a marina construction and upgrade a pier has been revealed.
The facilities are proposed to be built on the waterfront area in front of the Treasury and between Vuna Wharf and Uafu ‘Amelika.
A TP$20 million was required so a marina that has been constructed in 2007 before it was stopped could be finished off.
The new development included a beach volleyball court and a swimming pool for the South Pacific Games 2019.
An upgrade of the Uafu ‘Amelika will see the Yellow Pier turned into a modern wharf so that vessels and yachts could be able to dock there.
The Ports Authority Tonga’s CEO Mōsese Lavemai said the plan now is at the “discussion stage”.
He said the construction of the 100 square kilometres marina had to be hold after the former government refused to approve the Ports Authority Tonga’s application to lease the area.
Lavemai said the new government of ‘Akilisi Pōhiva approved the lease and now the ports authority is seeking funding so that the construction could start soon.
He said a conceptual design of the new development along with its estimate was prepared and approved by BECA consultancy from New Zealand.
Lavemai said the Tonga Pacific Games Organising Committee requested a beach volleyball court and a swimming pool to be included in the project and it has been approved.
It was expected the construction would be completed before the Pacific Games 2019 starts.
