By Neto Baptiste
The Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF) is awaiting word from an international company with whom they have had consultations on the way forward regarding the planned erecting of a 50-meter pool and aquatic centre here.
This is according to Vice President of pool-based swimming, Kem Warner, who said the body is hoping to have a “new draft or quote” shortly in order to propel the project forward.
“We are actually in consultation now with an overseas company, and correspondence was sent to the Minister of Sports [Daryll Matthew] and other stakeholders working with the architect at that time in the ministry. We have a company overseas now, working on putting together a new draft or a quote for the pool and so we should be expecting something back soon. After that is in place, then the determination will be made by the Ministry of Sports as to whether or not the pool has to be built in that capacity or whether it has to be scaled down a bit,” he said.
Government, in December of 2022, broke ground at the Tomlinson site designated for the erection of the aquatic centre. The project has not progressed since however, as following a change in executive within the swimming federation in March last year, the body petitioned the government to erect a 50 meters pool instead of the originally agreed 25 meters pool.
Warner said the body is prepared for any eventuality where cost and logistics are concerned.
“We are looking at not just the 50 meters Olympic size pool, but if it means that the financial figure is too high, we have a backup plan of a scaled down 25 meters pool [with] 10 lanes and probably with some warm down.
“[This is] just to be able to take some of the pressure from our lone pool, and allowing for swimming to be advanced to a bigger level because currently we are having challenges with four clubs actually practicing at one pool,” the VP said.
Government had proposed erecting the aquatic centre at the UWI campus at Five Islands but the suggestion was shot down by the federation, citing location and logistics when hosting meets as major concerns.
As it pertains to the maintenance of the facility, however, Warner said he understands that it could be a huge undertaking but assured that the federations is up to the task.
“Once the government builds the pool then it is their right to make that determination. Of course, we are going to put in our proposal and bid, and it doesn’t mean you have to do it on your own because you could have a joint arrangement where something is subsidised by the government while the swimming federation will then take up the remaining cost; but you can’t just look at cost carte blanche like that,” he said.
It is still unclear as to when construction could commence on the proposed aquatic centre and how much it would cost the government.