By Neto Baptiste
Minister of Sports Daryll Matthew has confirmed the government’s objection to funding a ‘feasibility study’ by an overseas company at the proposed site for the promised aquatic center.
Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo sports show, Matthew said the government was approached by the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF) requesting they fund the study to be carried out by an ‘international company’ to the tune of US $16,000 (EC $43,200).
“I have no difficulty and I don’t know if anyone in the government would have a difficulty in paying for the design work, even the construction work of the pool area … but the supporting amenities, we have the capacity here in Antigua and Barbuda through the Ministry of Works, through National Housing to build out the supporting amenities. Whether it’s a gym, an office, locker rooms and changing rooms, I don’t know we need to be paying an overseas consulting firm $18,000 US to do a feasibility study to tell us that these are the things we need,” he said.
“We have no difficulty paying them for the design and construction work of the pool or the swimming area which is the most important part of the facility and so, can you [swimming federation] have a conversation with them to see if they are prepared to be engaged to do that part of the work in terms of the pool,” he added.
In a recent interview, president of the swimming federation Edith Clashing said the body is hoping the ‘international company’ could be contracted to construct the facility as arrangements are that the US $16,000 would then be reinvested into the facility as past of the overall cost.
Matthew, however, maintained that the government’s public works department is more than qualified to handle building out aspects of the facility. He said it’s a matter of being prudent with government spending.
“It’s very awkward for me every time I walk down the street and john public sees me and ask, what are you’ll doing with our pool because it’s a legitimate question that I think the public ought to ask and many persons of the public do ask but at the end of the day, I don’t know that we cannot be responsible with the use of government resources so we continue to await the feedback from them. I don’t think there is any deliberate act on their part, certainly not on our part,” the sports minister said.
In December of 2022, government broke ground at the site for the proposed aquatic centre that would have housed a 25 meters pool, dressing rooms, stands and other amenities. The federation, under the leadership of Clashing, who was elected in March of 2023, renegotiated for a 50-meter pool and a 25-meter warm-up pool. Clashing replaced Dr Derek Marshall as president. Since then, the project has been delayed as the federation continues to consult with various experts on the way forward.
