Prime Minister Hon. Voreqe Bainimarama with students of the various schools in Lautoka cut the celebration cake (Photo: Fijian Government)

The people of Lautoka have a reason to smile as they now have their own stadium with a new ground and synthetic tracks at Churchill Park opened today and the new Tappoo’s City building opening soon.

While opening the newly renovated facilities at Churchill Park, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama also announced more good news today as he said that construction of a modern Olympics size swimming complex in Lautoka will begin at the end of April.

There will be a competition pool, a warm up pool and a kids pool.

Bainimarama confirms that the Churchill Park project was $5.5 million.

The government contributed around $2.8 million and the Lautoka City Council funded the rest while Tappoos Group built the corporate booths, the main entry gateway and the carpark.

He says Lautoka is Fiji’s second city and a major manufacturing and business hub.

Bainimarama says Lautoka is an important driver of Fiji’s economic growth and it is growing along with the rest of the western division, not just in size but in sophistication and complexity.

Athletes in Lautoka will no longer have to run on muddy and grass tracks for their competitions and Bainimarama says the Coca Cola Games can also be held at Churchill Park.

He also says these facilities will also attract more regional competitions to be held in Lautoka.

Athletes from Lautoka secondary schools will use the tracks for the first time at Churchill Park during the Lautoka Zone this Friday and Saturday.