The Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company Ltd. has been awarded a multi-million-tala contract for the rehabilitation of the Samoa Aquatic Center and the Apia Park Sports Complex, ahead of the Pacific Games next year.

The decision was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, yesterday.

Work on the project has already started, given the short time frame Samoa has had to prepare. Fiame said the project deals specifically with repairs and upgrading of the current facilities.

“These facilities include the Samoa Aquatic Center at Tuanaimato, the five grandstands at Apia Park Stadium, the Apia Park Tennis Court,” she said.

“Some of the work for this part of the project includes but are not limited to rehabilitating the competition pools, updating the timing system for the swimming competition, refurbishment of the exterior and the interior of the aquatic center, the renovations of the five grandstands at Apia Park, the repairing of the rubber track for athletics, repairing the big screen at Apia Park and repairing of the seven tennis court at Apia Park."

“Both the Government of Samoa and the Government of the People’s Republic of China understand the importance of this project and the need to have them completed given the limited time on hand.”

Chinese Embassy Charge de Affaire, Li Hao Xing, said China is happy to help fund the work.

 “The Chinese government attaches great importance to support this project and immediately started the related works,” she said.

“The project will help Samoa to develop its sports industry, promote its economic and social development, improve people’s livelihood and gradually enhance its national influence in the south Pacific region.”