Following the uproar caused by the appearance of photos of the pool on social media at the National Aquatic Centre being in filth along with the washroom facilities, the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, has said that there is “a very slim chance of such an incident reoccurring.”
On Monday, a concerned parent took photos of the country’s only Olympic-sized pool full of algae, moss, and sediments, along with the washrooms full of water at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.
While a source in the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) had told this publication that there are chemicals for the pool to be treated and the filthy conditions were due to negligence, Ninvalle, when contacted yesterday by this publication, stated that it was “very unfortunate that the pool was seen in that condition.”.
He explained that “the pool was treated on Sunday; however, on Monday morning, personnel observed a buildup of algae.”
He further noted, “A meeting was held with personnel from the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, and based on the discussion, there are some meticulous systems that will be put in place to have the pool maintained more regularly to prevent such recurrences.”
The situation at the Aquatic Centre has disrupted GASA’s preparations in the build-up to their Republic Day Swim Meet, which is being used as part of their selection criteria for the upcoming Carifta Games. According to the GASA official, the pool will be closed for at least a week while work is done to clean the facility.
