With the schools National Track and Field, Swimming and Cycling Championships fast approaching its November 9 commencement date, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports is racing to have the facilities of the 50m Olympic-size swimming pool ready for the swimming segment of the event.
But with the event seven days away, the burning question is whether or not the pool will be functioning by the deadline to fulfill the hopes of those students who are looking forward to ‘christening’ the pool as competitors next Tuesday.
When Stabroek Sport visited the Liliendaal site yesterday, workmen were tiling along the parapet of the swimming pool, while other works, some involving an excavator, could be seen to the far north east corner of the site. The prefabricated structure of the pool has been completely installed and water is in the pool.
However, there is the question of the environs of the pool which is clearly in need of a vast amount of work.
Meanwhile, those at the worksite declared firmly that they could give no comment on the progress of the pool, and that all questions should be directed to the ministry officials.
Calls made to the minister for an update were futile.
There have been persistent deadline failures since the project was first commissioned in 2008, and Minister of Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony, most recently pledged that the pool would be ready in time for the championships which opens with swimming.
Asked about the latest update received from the MCY&S pertaining to the progress of the pool, Head of the Physical Education Department of the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser, stated that he could not comment on the issue. He said that a press conference will be held this morning at the Providence National Stadium to address all issues pertaining to the championships.
Earlier last month Fraser had said that should the pool be unable to meet its latest deadline, organisers of the meet would be looking at a ‘Plan B’ to have the swimming championships held at the 25m Castellani House swimming pool on Homestretch Avenue.
