WITH work on Guyana’s first Olympic-size swimming pool nearing completion, Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony is forecasting more aquatic activities for Guyana, having set his sights on introducing water polo and synchronised swimming. In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday, Dr Anthony outlined his plans for the pool which has been completed, but not yet commissioned since landscaping as well as construction of stands and driveway and parking lot, has not been completed.
“As you are aware, between 75% to 80% of the pool and its surroundings have been completed, even though the weather has not been kind to them.
“We have Dipcon Engineering on the ground working on the parking and driveway area. They have equipment and manpower on the ground, but the weather has prevented work from going apace, while Pioneering Engineering is tasked with building the stands and at the moment, they are doing work on the mound,” said Dr Anthony.
When asked to express his views, seeing that the work is behind schedule, Dr Anthony said he has learnt not to give deadlines for certain jobs, since from a management point of view, some mishaps like the weather intervention are out of their control.
“Regrettably I must say, that I am not pleased at the moment, since this pool should have been completed and commissioned a few months back, but that is not so and I have learnt to refrain from giving deadlines.
“The reason is while we may had set a deadline initially, from a management point of view some of the mishaps, including the inclement weather, are out of our control at times.”
He continued, “Engineers are on the ground and the physical aspects of the work can be a problem at times and while we would have loved to see this job completed a few months ago, the reality is that is not so.
A consultancy firm is being paid to monitor the job, while an engineer from the Ministry of Public Works has been assigned and the stage we are at now is acceptable, since we are in a position to finish off the peripheral work on the site.”
With a smile on his face Dr Anthony expressed his plans for the pool.
“We at the Ministry have mapped out a programme for the pool and placed same on paper for implementation at the completion. Some include coaching sessions for both swimmers and coaches, as well as the introduction of water polo and synchronised swimming.
“Premature talks have begun with foreign swimming officials, with a view of having a professional programme in place for our swimmers, so that when they hit the water in international competitions, they can be more competitive.
“With regard to water polo and synchronised swimming, we don’t have qualified coaches who can teach same, but we have individuals who are au fait with it and we will be having them undergo a training session so they can edify others on the sport.”
Dr Anthony also highlighted the refurbished Colgrain Pool which was taken out of commission for remedial purposes and stated same has been completed, with the pool being re-commissioned in another week or two.
“This time around, we will be managing the pool tightly, since there were certain advantages taken before and to this effect, the Ministry will be meeting with all the swimming clubs, to inform them of our plans with regard to maintaining both the Colgrain and the Olympic-size pool.”
The Minister of Sport called on the local swimmers to take advantage of the Olympic-size pool upon its completion, with the aim of improving on their timings at international events.