The director of the Veterans Memorial Stadium and Sports Complex Tole’afoa Henry Tavake has surely made a statement considering the amount of work— and the changes that he’s made — since his time as stadium director. Numerous improvements have been seen outside and inside the stadium, well noticed by the public.

Friday morning, June 20, marked the opening of Sports Complex Training Facility that was added to the visitor’s side of the stadium, with an extension attached to the grandstand. Inside are three spacious rooms that are now utilized by the Weightlifting Association, Table Tennis Association, and the Judo and Karate Association – not to mention the two buildings on both ends of the stadium that were restrooms in the past, which have since been renovated to house Wrestling and Boxing.

As part of Tole’afoa’s improvements to the complex there are also new volleyball courts that are now set on the eastern side of the stadium, as well as the new billboard facing the main road, to display events and dates of activities that will take part at the Sports Complex.

During his speech at the dedication and opening ceremony, Tole’afoa said, “My staff knows that I am not a man of many words. If I want to prove something or prove a point, I let my work do the talking. The building that is being opened today, was supposed to be just a small extension to the back, something easy, something that the governor had proposed.”

He added, "Just two weeks later, the governor came by for a visit, and saw the poles already in place to build a foundation. Governor Lolo kind of disagreed — and told me that this wasn't our agreement. But I told him, not to worry, after his time as governor, all of these things would last for a lifetime, and testify to his term in office."

 According to Tole’afoa, it took three months to complete this project. "We didn't have a plan, nor blueprint of the project, we just did it, and now it's done, and we have a certificate to approve this project. Thank you so very much to those who contributed and helped out during this project, I don't want to mention any names in case I miss someone, but thank you all."

 He noted that the project cost $82,000 overall, but did not disclose the funding source. He thanked those present and all who contributed to the new building.