Fukuoka City has decided to build a new sports complex on Island City. Roughly 3,100 m2 of facilities, including a main arena, will be built on a four-hectare plot next to the Green Belt. The City released a draft of its Core Gymnasium Master Plan on Feb. 19 and will accept comments from the public for one month starting Feb. 22. It hopes to finalize the plan by April. According to the draft plan, the main arena will house three basketball courts and seat more than 3,000. There will also be a smaller “sub-arena”, facilities for judo, kendo and kyudo, and a 500-car parking lot. The estimated budget is ¥8 billion. The City will procure funds by using a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and aims to open the new complex in fiscal 2018 or 2019. The plan can be viewed at City Hall and the Ward Offices, and residents can submit their comment by mail, e-mail, or fax. Inquiries can be directed to the Sports Promotion Section (Tel: 092-711-4099) Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Feb. 20
