MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony has rebutted claims made in a Kaieteur News article published yesterday that said the “long awaited Olympic-sized swimming pool, the price tag of which moved from $316 million to $455 million, and which was scheduled to be completed this month, is nowhere near completion.”
The article also claimed that little progress has been made since the Minister visited the site in early June, that facilities are cheap-looking and cramped and certain areas are shoddily done.
Minister Anthony, in a response issued by the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated that the pool will be completed by the end of September and since his last visit, substantial work has been done at the construction site.
“Water and electricity have been established, among others, and the pool is already filled with water and ready for public use,” Minister pointed out.
He added that the contractors are currently putting together the final touches on the facility, which will be completed in a matter of weeks. This includes the decking, changing room, installation of plumbing materials and shower taps.
“I do not understand the writer’s anxiety or claim of shoddy work,” Minister Anthony pondered.
“If the media would like to have information on the project, they just need to refer to the Ministry and the correct information will be provided, but don’t go and sensationalise the issue,” he exclaimed.
GINA said as the time draws closer for the contractors to hand over the facility, the grass mound will be cleared and ready for use, as specified in the contract that also stipulates that the contractors must complete all the landscaping of the compound, including the fence.
“The writer should have sought clarification before making such false accusations,” Minster Anthony declared.
He further argued that if the writer was genuinely following the steps of the construction, he/she would have acknowledged the reason for the increase in the price, even though it is far below the $455M that was claimed by the newspaper.
The GINA release explained that a local contractor was initially hired to construct the pool. However, realizing that they do not possess expertise in constructing pools of such magnitude, the project was halted and the Ministry decided to hire the internationally known Myrtha Pools for the construction.
Myrtha Pools has over 45 years of experience in the construction of Olympic sized pools in various countries, and their standards are also certified by FINA.
The local contractor was given the peripheral section of the project, while Myrtha Pool offered a pre-assembled solution, which was installed.
Minister Anthony reiterated that the pool will subsequently be certified by FINA standards, so that international competitors will be able to use the facility.
“Perhaps the writer can tell us what other expertise we would need,” suggested Minster Anthony, taking a dig at the Kaieteur News reporter.
He noted that the construction site currently possesses a supervising firm and an engineer from the Ministry of Public Works, who has been giving advice on the construction of the pool.
Minister Anthony referred to the facility as a “sophisticated piece of technology,” as it is the first computerised Olympic-sized swimming pool in the country.