SIMUNJAN: Phase One of the football field upgrade at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Apin has been completed and is now ready for use by the school and the surrounding community.
Batang Sadong Member of Parliament, Rodiyah Sapiee, said the RM150,000 project was completed in March this year, involving the construction of retaining walls, installation of an underground drainage system to address waterlogging issues, and the planting of cow grass to enhance students’ comfort.
“This project is the first phase implemented based on the current funding capacity. I hope this facility will strengthen sports activities as well as serve the daily needs of the school community,” she said, according to an UKAS report, during the project handover ceremony at SK Sungai Apin here today.
Commenting on future plans, she said Phase Two of the project is currently in the planning stage, with an estimated cost of between RM100,000 and RM150,000.
The phase is expected to include the installation of netting, construction of fencing behind the goal area, and expansion of the grass field.
Its implementation is targeted to begin in the third or fourth quarter of 2027 under federal funding.
She added that the field not only benefits the school community but also serves as an activity hub for residents of six nearby villages, including as a venue for the upcoming Sungai Apin Zone 3 sports events.
In a related development, she said SK Sungai Apin will also be redeveloped, which has been categorised as a dilapidated school.
According to Rodiyah, the project falls under the Sarawak Dilapidated School Redevelopment Programme funded under a RM1-billion allocation and overseen by the Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD).
“PWD is currently in the process of submitting a Notice of Change (NOC) to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) following a significant increase in construction costs compared to the original estimate four years ago.
“If approval for the revised cost is obtained this year, physical development works for the school are expected to begin next year,” she said.
