President Donald Ramotar to commission warm-up pool today
The warm-up pool at the National Aquatic Centre will be commissioned today by President Ramotar.
The warm-up pool at the National Aquatic Centre will be commissioned today by President Ramotar.

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar will commission the warm-up pool of the National Aquatic Centre (NAC), when the official ceremony takes place this morning. The President will head a list of prominent officials expected at the opening ceremony, which will include remarks from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, president of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Ivan Persaud, as well as FINA vice-president Dale Neuburger and South America Swimming Confederation president, Juan Carlos Ortheila. Director of Sport Neil Kumar is also expected to have his say.

Construction of the 25-metre long warm-up pool, which began back in September 2013, complements the NAC’s chief Olympic-size swimming pool which was first commission back in 2011 by the former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
At the time, Jagdeo had made a commitment for the installation of the warm-up pool, which is one of many requirements necessary before international events can be hosted at the facility. Speaking with Chronicle Sport, yesterday, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King, expressed pleasure at the pool’s completion, noting that the addition to the facility is testament to the government’s strong commitment towards developing sports in Guyana.
“When the first phase (of the Aquatic Centre) was launched the former president, Bharrat Jagdeo, made a commitment, to deliver a world-class facility, so this warm-up pool is in keeping with that commitment. We have every reason to be proud (of the pool’s completion),” King said.
“This is not only a gift to the swimming fraternity but a gift to all Guyanese, because with the warm-up pool we will be better able to roll out training opportunities not just to our national swimmers but to others who want to learn to swim as well, because the warm-up pool has different levels (of depth) to accommodate that now.”
The warm-up pool, which is 21 metres wide, carries both a shallow end and a deep end ranging between 1.175m and 1.82m. The foundation for the pool was done by D & S Construction at a cost of $37.3M, while the pre-fabricated pool was sourced from, and installed by Myrtha Pools, the same company that supplied the pre-fabricated structure for the initial 50m pool.
With the warm-up pool now completed, the pool will still require a few other systems, such as an electronic timing system, before the facility can meet ultimate criteria for an international standard-approved facility. However, according to King, these are all accessories to the facility that will be added in time to come.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony is set to begin at 09:30hrs and is expected to include an infusion of cultural display, with performances of steel pan music, and African and Indian drumming. The National dance troupe is expected to participate while there will also be mini displays in swimming from some of the national swimmers.

 

 

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