The grandstands on the western side of Apia Park Stadium are set to be demolished, following a cabinet-approved directive to redevelop the country’s primary sports venue. 

The decision, announced Thursday, marks the beginning of a major infrastructure upgrade that will deliver a new, international-standard stadium for Samoa.

According to a press release issued by the government, the three ageing grandstands will no longer be in use, effective immediately, due to safety concerns raised in a recent inspection report. Demolition is expected to begin promptly as authorities begin planning the construction of a modern facility.

The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These agencies are now engaging with development partners, including Chinese contractors, to secure funding and technical support for the new stadium.

The Chinese maintenance team currently stationed at Apia Park provided the inspection report that led to the closure. A local groundskeeper told the Samoa Observer during a site visit last Wednesday that Chinese contractors had inspected the stands earlier this month and deemed the structure unsafe.

Rugby matches and other sporting events previously scheduled at Apia Park have since been relocated, including the highly anticipated Manu Samoa clash against Scotland, now scheduled for Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, in July.

When the Samoa Observer attempted to photograph the affected grandstands last Wednesday, security personnel on-site declined, citing safety concerns. Yellow caution tape has been placed around the condemned structures, which, according to a maintenance worker, is to prevent public entry.

The Apia Park Complex has been the central hub for sporting and national events for decades and has undergone several renovations. Originally constructed in 1924, it last saw major renovations in 2015. Over the years, it has served as the venue for numerous significant events, including the 2019 Pacific Games and the Pacificast Motherland Concert in 2023.

As of publication, the Ministry of Sports Acting CEO Tafaese Spencer Tautu and Lakapi Samoa CEO Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun have not responded to questions sent to them last Wednesday regarding the park’s condition and future plans for rugby in Samoa.