Organisers of the Pacific Mini Games in Port Vila have signed an agreement with the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, to use the Multipurpose Hall currently under construction at Epauto Area.
The hall is on track to be completed next month and will host the weightlifting competition for the Games, which begin on December the 4th in the Vanuatu capital.
Ex-FOL building was initially chosen to host the weightlifting competition but given its deteriorating condition the upgrading work would not have been completed in time.
VanCEO Clint Flood said having the SDA Mission on board is a very supportive step and the building has been identified as being appropriate to be used, as the Organising Committee is now in the process of completing its planning and co-ordination.
Van2017 CEO Clint Flood (2R) with representatives of Vanuatu's Seventh Day Adventist Mission. Photo: Van2017
Pastor Nos Terry said when the Van2017 team approached them about using the facility for the Games, they were happy to assist.
"Because this hall is not intentionally built just for Mission programs - it is planned for other denominations or groups to use the building as well, as long as they abide by the conditions of use agreement put forward by the church," he said.
"While we have no conditions to impose to you, as well as the government, the Mission is to assist our people, including in the area of Sport, but we would kindly appreciate if we can have some kind of contributions from the Government to fix the road, from the main road up to the Epauto Hall."
"And this road is not going to be used only by Mission people, but in future it will become a busy public access, if people will start using the facility. Let's not rule out the fact that this place is being identified by the government as an evacuation centre, and I am sure, that it is always going to be."
"In the long run, this area is going to be very beneficial to all our communities, and let's work together to build that relationship, for the interest of our people."
The construction started last year of the hall started last year and once completed it is expected to accommodate more than 5000 people.