Work has started on a proposed plan to construct a 40,000-seater stadium in Labasa. This is the Labasa Town Council’s ambitious move towards embracing sports tourism. LTC special administrator Samuela Ligairi confirmed to SUNsports yesterday that they have already identified three sites for the proposed stadium. He said their team has visited the sites and they are on the verge of collaborating with the landowners and relevant authorities. The proposed sites are; Vacant land near Wasavulu Village in Labasa; Land opposite the All Saints Secondary School in Vulovi; Land near Naduna Primary School. Ligairi said looking at the current site of the Subrail Park, there is hardly room for expansion. “It cannot be transformed into a big stadium or pitch,” he said. “We will have to use Subrail Park’s ground two to merge with the main ground to turn into a bigger pitch to stadium but it is very difficult to do due to lack of space.” Ligairi said the only setback about the land near Naduna Primary School, is due to lack of space. He clarified the land is not spacious enough to construct seating space or pavilions to cater for the large crowd. Ligairi said they would follow the proper channel in collaboration with the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB), landowners and other stakeholders to secure the land for the new stadium. He said they are working on a request to Government for an allocation from the Na Vualiku Tourism Development Budget of $439.2 million, which is funded by World Bank. Ligairi said sports tourism is a vital component of improving the income generation of municipal councils in Vanua Levu especially Labasa and Savusavu. “We want Government to allocate some funds from this tourism project to help us in the construction of the proposed sports stadium,” he said. Ligairi said the LTC’s long term plan is to tap on income generating opportunities like hosting a Fijian Drua’s Super Rugby home game in Labasa. Also, the hosting of the Fiji Finals (Coca-Cola Games) and international rugby Test matches. “This requires a high standard sporting park with state of the art facilities and lights to host such a world-class game, but, we are confident that this dream is possible,” he added. Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj