The Samoa Fiafia Park will temporarily close its doors for coming months due to the impact of the coronavirus-led economic downturn. 

But the park's closure will also give owners the opportunity to conduct renovations and add new attractions.

The closure was confirmed by the owner of both the park and the Magic Circus of Samoa, Tupa'i Bruno Loyale, in a telephone interview with Samoa Observer on Monday.

"It’s a bit sad," he said. "I want to keep it open but at the same time I'm very happy because we are going to concentrate on our circus and the last show of the circus will be on Friday.

"There are a couple of different reasons [for the closure], first of all we want to add some additional attractions and do a complete renovation.

“The flowers, the plants, the walkways, we want to fix all of that. And we are going to try and put in a couple of fantastic different attractions."

But ultimately, due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the nation’s borders, Tupa'i decided to leave the park closed due to a downturn in demand.

The park's last day in operation will be on Saturday before the Magic Circus of Samoa goes on a village tour around Upolu and Savai’i.

"We will have one big show at the big tent, and that tent will be coming down and we have our other tent which is prepared for the villages,” he said. 

Tupa'i said he is looking forward to the park’s reopening but has invited everyone to have fun at the park on Saturday before its temporary closure.

He said new attractions that will be ready when the park reopens will include a zipline, mini-golf, and a water park.

Tupa'i also said that they will be visiting about 18-20 villages in Upolu before heading to Savai’i as part of the circus’ village tour.

Tupa'i said people would likely be sad about the park’s closure but also that people would understand the economic difficulties the nation is facing.