First steps taken towards Olympic-sized pool
(CNS) Updated with costs: The swimming programmes in the Cayman Islands have produced two competitors for the Paris Games but there may be more in the next Olympics as they will finally have an Olympic-sized pool for practice. The Ministry of Sports has announced the procurement of the components to build two new pools, one 50-metre and one 25-metre, for the new Cayman Islands Aquatic Centre at a cost of just over $3 million.
According to the CIG procurement site, the pools are manufactured by Myrtha Pools, and the two together cost $3,011,263.91, which includes installation. A release about the procurement did not say if the contract specified a timeframe to build the pools and gave no indication of how long this would take.
It appears from the release that the modular pool construction chosen by the ministry is the same as the one used to build the pools in Indianapolis, Indiana, where the US Olympic trials were held last month, but no details about the manufacturer or the construction have been revealed.
However, the release stated that the 25-metre pool will replace the current 25-metre Lions Pool at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, and the long-awaited new 50-metre pool will be installed at the same site. The first pool modules arrived three weeks ago, on 5 July.
Ongoing works on site development and reconfiguration are underway to ensure minimal disruption during the development of the Cayman Islands Aquatic Centre (CIAC), the ministry said.
It also said the pools will be instrumental in the ongoing development of swimming in the Cayman Islands and will provide first-class training and development facilities locally. For example, the ability to have 30 lanes at the CIAC, where now there are only six, will benefit current swimmers, reduce bulging waiting lists for swim programmes and help prevent delays in learn-to-swim programmes.
Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association (CIASA) President Steve Broadbelt said, “The arrival of the first shipment of pool components for the new Aquatics Centre marks the beginning of the next chapter in swimming for Cayman, but also [charts] the course for what a facility like this can do for the community, for the youth, for water safety, for desperately needed senior programmes and water therapy.
“What we are building is so much more than a pool. This new centre will change how the people of Cayman enjoy the water and improve their quality of life, to the extent that we won’t be able to imagine a time when it didn’t exist.”
The ministry said without explanation that partnerships with other organisations are being pursued to ensure the success of this project.
Sports Minister Isaac Rankine said that the arrival of the first pool modules was “another noteworthy step in the development of this project and this government’s commitment to advancing sports in the Cayman Islands. These pools, which were a part of the facilities developed for the USA swim trials held in Indianapolis, [are] evidence that the Cayman Islands will have state-of-the-art pools in the new aquatic centre.”
He said that when it is complete, the new centre will support swim programmes for young children up to seniors and the development of safety programmes. It will also enhance the development of athletes in swimming disciplines as well as those in other sports who do aquatic training.
“We must recognise that this project would not be possible without the partnerships and dedication of local non-profit organisations,” Rankine said without naming any.
The ministry said it will continue to provide additional updates to the public throughout this project.
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Category: development, Local News, Sports, swimming
If government didn’t waste most of its billion dollar annual income we could afford to have a pool a new school a new cargo port and even first world waste facilities.
They can’t so we won’t. Government will continue to waste money on vote buying projects that always go way over budget and aren’t maintained.
Eventually government will have to provide infrastructure which only leads to some form of direct tax to pay for it.
Could be so much better and if it was then every Caymanian would benefit.
Can we get a paintball field instead it will help lower crime.
Will they also let this one turn into an algae filled scungepit like the one in the Brac?
Yes.
This is excellent news and should have happened years ago. I am surprised at some of the negative comments around this. Swimming has, quite rightly, been recognised as Cayman’s national support. Cayman has produced a number of Olympian swimmers, as well as a gold medallist at the Panam Games (Fraser) and, more recently, a world champion (Crooks). But it is not just about these swimmers that should make us proud. Hundreds, if not thousands, of youngsters have benefitted from the Cayman swimming programme over the last 20 years. This development will benefit the next generations of young Caymanians. Those involved in finally making this project happen should be congratulated.
It would take an expertise to maintain this size pool in a top notch condition. This is not your backyard pool where practically anybody can clean it and add chlorine.
Public health safety could only be achieved if professionals in the public pools managements are employed. Cayman doesn’t have such professionals. Department of health and Environment has no such professionals.. No regulations, labs, technicians, engineers etc. So it is a recipe for a a disaster.
‘Those involved in finally making this project happen should be congratulated.’ Premature congratulations, it hasn’t happened yet, don’t hold your breath!
With 750,000 gallons of water and 12,300 square feet of surface area, one Olympic-regulation pool costs $250,000 a year in chemicals and utilities alone.
Money well spent.
They also need a diving pool!
How about a public track?
The dump and mental health facilities have nothing to do with athletics. They are different ministries with different budgets.
There are thousands of children on island in swim programs and a proper athletic facility is long overdue. It will benefit not only those currently in programs but will make it more accessible and affordable to others as well. These sorts of team sports give children positive goals and role models and keep them from going down negative paths with negative people (much like those posting here).
This is our national sport. Let’s support this positive step rather than tearing down those who are making good changes for Cayman. There will be problems as there always is but let’s get this up and running as quickly as possible to encourage and promote swimming in the Cayman Islands.
Hear Hear
But do we really need a 50 meter pool?
Both Olympians seem to have done okay here (and are now training off-island).
Just thinking all that extra cash could have gone somewhere else.
I hear that one of the developments near Crighton House on Shamrock Road has an olympic length pool? Surely arrangements could be made for a few dedicated hopefuls to train there.
I have lost faith in the Government’s ability to do anything without incompetence and corruption. I doubt this project will be any different. When is the next election anyway. Not that it will change anything.
Ask Bernie (joker) how much his trip to view a 50m pool cost. ( not a joke) Without him as Minister this project might be a success.
How could this man get elected, how did he become a Minister? Cayman deserves so much better.
How did any of them get to where they are? What are Kennie’s qualifications????? What are Sabrina’s?????
Kenny was a former prison inspector.
also, a male model and an unsuccessful drug dealer.
How the heck does this qualify him to become minister? This is mind boggling!
“He said that when it is complete, the new centre will support swim programmes for young children up to seniors and the development of safety programmes. It will also enhance the development of athletes in swimming disciplines as well as those in other sports who do aquatic training.”
Just like the pool in the Brac, right? 😉😉
I can’t speak to what goes on, on the Brac, but take a spin by the Lions’ Pool and see all the good work that both Gov’t and the private clubs put in.
A larger aquatic facility will help provide swimming lessons to all of the children in Grand Cayman. Having almost everyone water safe here will be an amazing accomplishment.
No it won’t. Who is going to teach them and who is paying for the teachers?
This is going to be a very, very expensive Civil Service shit show.
What’s wrong with using a cordoned off area of the North Sound, it’s free! I guess purchasing a few parts for a Lego style pool guarantees having it up and leaking in time to get 2 years training done prior to next Olympics? Or it could go like the non starter Mental Health Facility especially if it leaks and they have to piss more money away to build a conventional one. Can these idiots and hangers on find any more boondoggles to squander money on? These morons must be going through toilet paper like nobody’s business and not for wiping their arses either, it seems it’s being used for copious note taking and sketchy planning exercises.
Ridiculous to put these pools on Grand Cayman. The only suitable location for such a facility is up on the Bluff. Next to the new $50,000,000 high school and the FIFA field.
Let’s fun a ski jumping facility and a cross country ski circuit. Winter Olympics are just 2 years away
What happened to the ice rink that was announced many many moons ago?
That was a scam, but Kurt and others was there for the announcement.
Ask Kurt Tibbetts!
Use the dump and get a snow machine. Much cheaper than a pool.
How many work permits need to be issued to maintains this size pool?
How about a public pool, $5 entry, lifeguard and a snack area.
must have a swim up bar
Is this really the best use of government resources??? How about addressing issues that affect the whole country not just 4 people that may or may not qualify for the Olympics…
🤦♀️
Exactly!!! This government can spend some money on things that arent important.
What could possibly go wrong?
WARSAW, July 27 Mass chlorine poisoning occurred in one of the swimming pools of Warsaw, RMF FM radio station reports.
“Mass poisoning occurred in the pool in Warsaw. 23 people who swam in the Polonez OSiR pool in Warsaw’s Targuwek district have symptoms of chlorine poisoning. The rescuers took 21 people, including children, to hospitals,” the message reads. It is noted that at the time of hospitalization, all the victims were conscious.
Fix The Dump first!
That’s a huge mess. Dart just walked away from the project.
what do you expect DART to do when the government shut the project down? entitled much?
Why?
Cayman and it’s politicians should do alot..they do…for themselves. Dream on, there will be no pool.
Here we go again….another wasted $M project…
Cayman should build a World Aquatics/IOC-calibre competitive diving venue, and train up 3m springboard and 10m platform athletes.
I don’t necessarily disagree, it would be great to be able to compete in new sports, but I think the cost for those deep pools is really really high.
They should open the mental health facility and fix the dump first. This is just another waste of money
An ice arena, where we can develop world-class figure skaters. And a place for Canadians to hang out before heading to the new Tim Hortons, eh?
Waste of money.
A curling rink is a must.
Is that what hairdressers are for?
Oh, you mean the sport of curling.
Go jump off the bluff if you are so inclined.
Why? Ridiculous waste of resources for minimal reward.