Majuro Track and Field Stadium explained

Stadium Name:Majuro Track and Field Stadium
Location:Jenrok Village, Majuro, Marshall Islands
Capacity:2,000
Surface:Artificial turf
Scoreboard:Yes
Broke Ground:May 2019
Cost:$6 million (USD)
Opened:2024
General Contractor:Pacific International Inc
Tenants:Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee
Marshall Islands national soccer team

The Majuro Track and Field Stadium is a 2,000-capacity Olympic-grade multi-purpose stadium in Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands.[1] It is mostly used for track and field and soccer events. The structure also serves as a large seawall in the densely populated part of Majuro which has become inundated with seawater through the effects of climate change, particularly during king tide.[2]

History

The stadium was originally designed as a venue for the 2023 Micronesian Games. After negotiations with local landowners, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in early May 2019. Pacific International, Inc was selected as contractor with a projected cost of $6 million (USD). Construction was anticipated to take 18 to 20 months to complete.[2] Funding assistance for the project was provided by the government of Taiwan.[3]

By July 2020 the land reclamation project on the 10-acre piece of property was nearly complete, with an anticipated finish of mid to late 2021. However, at that time it was announced that the tournament could be delayed to 2023 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[4] In November 2021 it was confirmed that the tournament would be delayed, partially because of the effects of the pandemic on border controls which affected the availability of specialized contractors and shipping of necessary construction materials, supplies, and equipment needed to complete the facility.[5] By November 2021 reclamation projects were complete and structural construction had advanced.[6]

In April 2022 Marshall Islanders were invited to the stadium for the first time for Majuro’s 78th Liberation Day celebration. The athletic track and separate baseball facility were not yet completed.[7] In January 2023 the president of the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation stated that stadium construction was ahead of schedule for its official opening. He also stated that the stadium was a vital piece of infrastructure for the association’s plans to join the Oceania Football Confederation and FIFA.[8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ewart . Richard . Small beginnings as Marshall Islands sets out to join the world soccer family . 27 February 2020 . abc.net.au . 8 November 2021.
  2. Web site: Green light for Micro Games facility . May 2019 . The Marshall Islands Journal . 8 November 2021.
  3. News: Taiwan Back Micro Games and Others Including Coast Guard Cooperation . 10 January 2023 . Nauru Bulletin . Government of Nauru . 14 . 16 December 2022 . 3.
  4. Web site: Burns . Eve . Micro Games on our minds . 9 July 2020 . The Marshall Islands Journal . 8 November 2021.
  5. Web site: Johnson . Giff . Micronesian Games pushed back a year . 6 November 2021 . rnz.co.nz . 8 November 2021.
  6. Web site: Watson . Paul . Construction is under way . Twitter . 8 November 2021.
  7. Web site: Joel . Wilmer . Majuro Day showcases Micro Games area . 13 April 2022 . Marshall Islands Journal . 16 August 2022.
  8. Web site: Long . Dan . Marshall Islands: Lloyd Owers appointed technical director of last country without a national football team . Sky Sports . 13 January 2023.