First Games Village handed over
The first Games Village at Don Bosco Technical Institute was officially handed over to Prime Minister and Minister for the 2023 Pacific Games, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, by Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency (H.E.) Rod Hilton, this morning (September 8, 2023).
Renovations at the training school were funded by the Australian Government at a cost of approximately $2,143,000 as part of their support for the 2023 Pacific Games.
A total of four buildings had been upgraded. 14 classrooms were renovated in two buildings, and the other two buildings are ablution blocks with 15 showers and 15 lavatories.
In his remarks, the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E., reflected on the themes of the games, which are challenge, celebration, and unity.
He also highlighted the Australian partnership with Don Bosco and the ongoing support to improve education infrastructure and learning equipment, training programs like Australia Pacific Training College (APTC), and the lasting legacy on the recipient and people of the Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Hon. Sogavare also highlighted that while the primary reason to upgrade classroom blocks at the Don Bosco Technical Institute is to ensure adequate rooms to cater for athletes and officials coming to the 2023 Pacific Games, this work will leave behind a legacy for the institute because the renovated facilities will serve students for years to come.
The Games Minister also conveys the government’s sincere appreciation to the Australian government and their ongoing support in the country.
Also speaking during the handover ceremony, school principal Mr. Paul Daro thanked his staff and students for their cooperation and understanding as they endured the noisy environment during the renovation phase.
“These renovations will not only benefit the school but the people of the Solomon Islands as a whole. I would like to sincerely thank Australia, the National Hosting Authority, and contractors for implementing the renovation activities on time and completing them.”
The span of the classroom renovation, which commenced on December 22, 2022, saw the engagement of five local contractors who completed the job at different times, employing almost 100 nationals, and completed it on April 3, 2023.
In addition to the upgrading of four classroom blocks, five new water tanks were also installed with permanent connections to the main Solomon Water SIWA supply line.
Don Bosco Technical Institute is among six facilities that, with support from education authorities, will accommodate athletes for the duration of the game, and all have undergone renovation works: Tenaru National Secondary School, KG VI National Secondary School, Solomon Islands National University, Panatina Campus, Solomon Islands National University, Kukum Campus, and St. Nicholas Anglican College.
