HCM City authorities have sought funding for construction of Rach Chiec Sports Complex in District 2's An Phu Ward, even though the project was included in the master plan for sports and physical training towards 2020.

According to the zoning plan approved by the central Government in February 1994, Rach Chiec Sport Complex would cover 466 ha and have a 50,000-seat stadium, swimming pools, parks and other facilities to hold international sport competitions.

However, the area remains empty. After 21 years since its approval, the 466 ha under the initial master plan has been reduced to 180.7 ha.

The only construction work at the site is the 1km long-80m wide road axis running from Ha Noi Highway to the sports complex. Construction of the road axis is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Construction of the road costs about VND260 billion (nearly US$12 million).

The HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is scheduled to choose the 1/2000 functional design of Rach Chiec Sports Complex Project from August to December of this year.

The selected design will be submitted to HCM City People's Committee for approval in September 2016 before construction work can start.

District 2 People's Committee is responsible for compensation and site clearance while the HCM City Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism was appointed to seek investment for the project.

Nguyen Hung, deputy director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the city was seeking funding for site clearance and building sport facilities at the complex.

"In 2007, when land prices remained low, compensation for site clearance cost over VND450 billion ($20.6 million). Now, we need about VND5 trillion ($230 million) for site clearance as valued by the City's Finance Department," he said.

Since mid-2012, HCM City authorities have considered selling land lots in the city centre to facilitate construction of Rach Chiec Sports Complex.

Hoa Lu Stadium, which is located at a prime site at the corner of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Dinh Tien Hoang streets in District 1, is among nine land lots the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has suggested for sale to arrange capital for the sports complex.

However, the selling process was expected to last for several years, Hung added. 

VNS