PROGRESS REPORT 2017 PACIFIC MINI GAMES General As of the Report of last September some progress can be reported . The Government of the Peoples Republic of China has agreed to provide aid funding and assist in the main construction work at the Korman Sports Complex site. Priority task is the complete demolition of the Korman Outdoor grandstand as well as the annexed Indoor gymnasium to make way for an expanded grandstand as well as a new Indoor facilities, to house the gymnasium and office space. PRC AID ASSISTANCE Following the last report the Government of the Peoples Republic of China has agreed to assist Vanuatu with the building of new sports facilities at the Korman Sports Complex. These include the following major projects: 1. Construction of a new grandstand to accommodate maximum 1,500 seats under cover on the existing site. Extension of the stand to cover the full 100 m length to finishing line. Under cover will include some offices, toilets, showers and changing rooms 1 2. Construction of a new multi purpose Indoor gym annexed to the main grand stand to include meeting rooms, proper fitness gym, change rooms, toilets, showers etc. 3. Resurfacing of the running track and upgrading of the related facilities within the athletic field. Proper upgrading of the inner soccer field to accommodate rugby as well. 4. Build up raised embankment on the eastern , north and southern side of the field for protection and security of the playing field. This will also provide close natural grass seating for spectators. 5. Construct a competition swimming pool and a recreational pool with a simple grandstand and spectator seating. 6. Construct a 4 x IF standard Beachvolleyball courts adjacent to 4 x Tennis Courts 7. Build an open floor slab to be used for multi purpose sports and training venue on the roadside in the far eastern end of the field. 8. Upgrade the Cricket ground as well as spectator and changing facilities. 9. The same improvements applies to the Archery field next to the cricket facilities. These are the only sports facilities the People’s Republic of China, through the Embassy in Port Vila have decided to pick up. A Technical Team of Architects and other officials visited Vanuatu late last November to finalise details. Work on the site is expected to begin as soon as practicable. OTHER SPORTS FACILITIES Plans are already being made to source other funding assistance to help with the upgrading and renovation of existing sports facilities, both for training purposes as well as competitions. ACCOMODATION The original plan was to provide accommodation for all athletes & officials at the Korman Stadium site, unfortunately did not succeed with 2 the aid donors. They have expressed that they would like to concentrate mostly on building of new sports facilities, leaving out the accommodation project. So it will now fall back on accommodating the athletes and officials in either or both of the major secondary schools in Vila, the French Lycee which has been used in the past as well as the Malapoa College. The Malapoa is currently undergoing complete renovation and upgrading in order to be able to provide accommodation for 1,400 students . This project will be completed well in good time for the Games. The Lycee is also under renovations with the capability of providing accommodation for 500 students in dormitories. Using classrooms as accommodation space as has been done in the past would provide more rooms. ATHLETES ESTIMATE ACCOMODATION TECHNICAL OFFICIALS Technical Officials will be accommodated at a site yet to be decided, but separate from the athletes but not too far from the Korman National sporting complex and other venues. 3 INTERNAL TRANSPORT Still remains the same as in the original plan. Santo travel may be reduced depending on the number of competitions to be held in the Northern Province . COMMUNICATIONS With the recent installation of the fibre optic link and broadband network now in place , communication link will be greatly improved by games time. The local telecommunication company TVL is one of the main sports sponsors in Vanuatu so VAN2017OC will work in close collaboration with them in supporting communication links in relation to the Mini Games. GAMES LOGO & MASCOT The VAN2017 Games Logo was launched appropriately on the anniversary of the Olympic Day celebrations. It is a simple abstract design of the volcano in the Vanuatu national colours, with a breaking wave encircling the logo. Exposure was also made of the Games Mascot – appropriately of similar colour, a coconut lorikeet or parrot, a well known sight throughout the Pacific. 4 .