Majuro Track and Field Stadium
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]
| Location | Jenrok Village, Majuro, Marshall Islands |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 7.0635°N 171.2667°E |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | May 2019 |
| Opened | 2023 (anticipated) |
| Construction cost | $6 million (USD) |
| General contractor | Pacific International Inc |
| Tenants | |
| Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee Marshall Islands national soccer team | |
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]
References
- Ewart, Richard. "Small beginnings as Marshall Islands sets out to join the world soccer family". abc.net.au. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- "Green light for Micro Games facility". The Marshall Islands Journal. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- "Taiwan Back Micro Games and Others Including Coast Guard Cooperation" (PDF). Nauru Bulletin. No. 14. Government of Nauru. 16 December 2022. p. 3. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- Burns, Eve. "Micro Games on our minds". The Marshall Islands Journal. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- Johnson, Giff. "Micronesian Games pushed back a year". rnz.co.nz. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- Watson, Paul. "Construction is under way". Twitter. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- Joel, Wilmer. "Majuro Day showcases Micro Games area". Marshall Islands Journal. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- Long, Dan. "Marshall Islands: Lloyd Owers appointed technical director of last country without a national football team". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 January 2023.