The Kavieng Stadium in Kavieng town, New Ireland province has been renamed to Sir Julius Chan Stadium as a mark of honor for the Late political icon, the last of the founding fathers of Papua New Guinea who passed away early this year. New Ireland Governor Walter Schnaubelt announced this during the New Ireland Day celebrations held at this Stadium on Saturday, 02nd August, 2025. “It is fitting and proper to announce that the Kavieng Sports Stadium will now be named in honor and legacy of our late Governor Sir Julius Chan,” he said. Late Sir Julius, Papua New Guinea's most seasoned politician built this amazing facility that has set a high benchmark for development in New Ireland for years to come. The Kavieng Stadium took just over a year to build by the China Railway Construction Company, the same company that built another iconic structure in the New Ireland Legislative Assembly. The renaming of the stadium was one of the highlights of the New Ireland Day celebrations bringing together traditional and cultural performances from the two districts (Kavieng and Namatanai) in the province.