THE MINISTRY of Culture Youth and Sports is promising additional resources to its sporting infrastructure with the completion of the Olympic-sized pool and two Squash Courts in 2010.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dr Frank Anthony said yesterday that the swimming pool was one of the major undertakings during this year but was greeted with various setbacks.

He said there has never been any contractor who has undertaken a project of this magnitude.

“The difficulty is that there is nobody in Guyana who has actually constructed an Olympic-sized pool,” he said, adding that the engineering firm which had been awarded the contract will now be in charge of the site works.

This would include construction of sanitary blocks, dressing rooms, VIP area and setting up of the mounds. The firm has already completed the foundation for the pool.

However, the minister explained that the World Swimming Association was contacted and advised that a leading swimming pool construction company be consulted.

This was done and the company which is based in Italy has now been contracted to complete the 500 meter swimming pool.

Minister Anthony disclosed that the contract has already been signed and the company has begun to work.

The pool will be shipped into Guyana during the first quarter of next year and will be assembled at the site.

Maintenance works were also carried out at the two main facilties; the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the Gymnasium to ensure they are in good condition.

Developmental works have also started at the Woolford Avenue Complex and the ministry has engaged a consultant firm to submit a master plan.

“We will have two hard courts for lawn tennis and two training areas for lawn tennis and those contracts have been given out. We will have bleachers to accommodate 200 persons to look at matches. The old building is currently being dismantled and will be replaced with two squash courts.”

The Guyana Squash Association has agreed to purchase a transparent backboard so that persons can look at the game. These are to be installed before the opening of the Courts.

In addition, plans are afoot to set up a Peace Resource Centre with funding from the United Nations Development Fund.

The building will house a cafeteria that will service the entire complex and two conferencing facilities along with an extensive library. Some of the materials for the library have already been procured.

Minister Anthony added that another major development was the establishment of the new gym at the Carifesta Sports Club.

The ministry will also continue to fund the three-stage cycling race which is held around Mashramani as well as the five-stage race in November and the triathlon.

“We continue to work with the Surinamese and people of French Guiana to host the inter-Guiana games. This year we were able to achieve another feat to include chess for the first time in the games. The other two countries welcome that move and that is something that would help our people playing chess to develop.”

The minister said the Sports Policy, which is long overdue, should see a final draft early next year. (GINA)