President commissions National Aquatic Centre - says warm up pool affordable
Georgetown, GINA, November 4, 2011
Source - GINA
A section of the National Aquatic Centre and the 50 metre swimming pool
Excitement and anticipation have been rekindled in the swimming fraternity in Guyana as the National Aquatic Centre was commissioned today by President Bharrat Jagdeo with an assurance that a warm up pool is affordable.
The centre constructed by Myrtha Pool Limited with a 50 metre swimming pool suitable for international competitions, is one of few such facilities in the Caribbean adding to the number of flagship facilities built under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.
The National Aquatic Centre was commissioned at an opportune time as Guyana is preparing to host the Goodwill Companionships in 2012 and the CARIFTA games the following year.
Junior swimmers competing in a special aquatic display during the commissioning of the National Aquatic Centre
President Jagdeo assured Alex Graham, President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) that a $25M “Warm-Up-Warm-Down” pool seems possible, after Graham had explained that it is a necessary component of the facility and the hosting of the upcoming competitions.
The President credited the possibility (of the warm up pool) to growth in the economy noting that “knowing the state of our finances which is constantly improving and we can look forward to significant growth in revenue as our economy expands…we will be able to afford many of the facilities that hitherto we had not been able to fund largely because the competition for funds was very intense,” President Jagdeo said.
The assurance was met with cheers by members of the swimming fraternity who demonstrated a special aquatic display at the junior, senior, male and female levels.
President Bharrat Jagdeo unveils the plaque to the National Aquatic Centre in the presence of Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony and Permanent Secretary Alfred King, Minster of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, and President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association Alex Graham
The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport is confident about Guyanese swimmers reaching greater heights at the international level with an adequate facility now available in Guyana.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony reported that Guyana competed 14 times at the Olympic level with only two swimmers representing the country blaming such limitation on the lack of adequate facilities.
With the National Aquatic Centre now functional Minister Anthony believes that the possibilities are endless with Guyanese competing in water polo at the male and female levels and synchronised swimming.
The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport has partnered with the GASA on programmes of equal access to the facility training of coaches and trainers, fitness programmes and involvement of schools.
President Bharrat Jagdeo presents a trophy to swimmer Niall Roberts at the commissioning of the National Aquatic Centre
“We are offering a wider range of services at this centre… it will be the home for the Guyana national swimming team and would be available for their elite training programmes. We would also work in partnership with other associations to provide developmental programmes and we want to work with the many swimming clubs that we have to provide time,” Minister Anthony said.
Graham said he was satisfied with the present location of the pool, which he believes opens up opportunities for potential athletes outside of the city and that in the past Guyanese athletes have been performing well despite limitations with facilities.
The idea of a national aquatic centre was conceptualized in 2007 at a time when much emphasis was placed by the PPP/C administration on resources critical to the holistic development of Guyana.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Alfred King said the design and tender process for the facility were completed in December 2007 and work began in November 2008.
King reported that the many design alterations had delayed the construction process but by September 2010 the facility was functionally ready. He said that President Jagdeo was instrumental in pointing out the need for a parking lot, landscaping, internal roadway and a pavilion area, all of which were realized.
The National Aquatic Centre adds to the list of complete and imminent state of the art sport facilities in Guyana. Works are at present being undertaken on a synthetic track at Leonora, West Coast Demerara and a velodrome on the East Coast of Demerara.
President Jagdeo said the establishment of the velodrome is engrained in the PPP/C manifesto which also includes plans for several indoor sports facilities across Guyana.
Georgetown, GINA, November 4, 2011
Source - GINA
A section of the National Aquatic Centre and the 50 metre swimming poolExcitement and anticipation have been rekindled in the swimming fraternity in Guyana as the National Aquatic Centre was commissioned today by President Bharrat Jagdeo with an assurance that a warm up pool is affordable.
The centre constructed by Myrtha Pool Limited with a 50 metre swimming pool suitable for international competitions, is one of few such facilities in the Caribbean adding to the number of flagship facilities built under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.
The National Aquatic Centre was commissioned at an opportune time as Guyana is preparing to host the Goodwill Companionships in 2012 and the CARIFTA games the following year.
Junior swimmers competing in a special aquatic display during the commissioning of the National Aquatic CentrePresident Jagdeo assured Alex Graham, President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) that a $25M “Warm-Up-Warm-Down” pool seems possible, after Graham had explained that it is a necessary component of the facility and the hosting of the upcoming competitions.
The President credited the possibility (of the warm up pool) to growth in the economy noting that “knowing the state of our finances which is constantly improving and we can look forward to significant growth in revenue as our economy expands…we will be able to afford many of the facilities that hitherto we had not been able to fund largely because the competition for funds was very intense,” President Jagdeo said.
The assurance was met with cheers by members of the swimming fraternity who demonstrated a special aquatic display at the junior, senior, male and female levels.
President Bharrat Jagdeo unveils the plaque to the National Aquatic Centre in the presence of Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony and Permanent Secretary Alfred King, Minster of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, and President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association Alex GrahamThe Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport is confident about Guyanese swimmers reaching greater heights at the international level with an adequate facility now available in Guyana.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony reported that Guyana competed 14 times at the Olympic level with only two swimmers representing the country blaming such limitation on the lack of adequate facilities.
With the National Aquatic Centre now functional Minister Anthony believes that the possibilities are endless with Guyanese competing in water polo at the male and female levels and synchronised swimming.
The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport has partnered with the GASA on programmes of equal access to the facility training of coaches and trainers, fitness programmes and involvement of schools.
President Bharrat Jagdeo presents a trophy to swimmer Niall Roberts at the commissioning of the National Aquatic Centre“We are offering a wider range of services at this centre… it will be the home for the Guyana national swimming team and would be available for their elite training programmes. We would also work in partnership with other associations to provide developmental programmes and we want to work with the many swimming clubs that we have to provide time,” Minister Anthony said.
Graham said he was satisfied with the present location of the pool, which he believes opens up opportunities for potential athletes outside of the city and that in the past Guyanese athletes have been performing well despite limitations with facilities.
The idea of a national aquatic centre was conceptualized in 2007 at a time when much emphasis was placed by the PPP/C administration on resources critical to the holistic development of Guyana.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Alfred King said the design and tender process for the facility were completed in December 2007 and work began in November 2008.
King reported that the many design alterations had delayed the construction process but by September 2010 the facility was functionally ready. He said that President Jagdeo was instrumental in pointing out the need for a parking lot, landscaping, internal roadway and a pavilion area, all of which were realized.
The National Aquatic Centre adds to the list of complete and imminent state of the art sport facilities in Guyana. Works are at present being undertaken on a synthetic track at Leonora, West Coast Demerara and a velodrome on the East Coast of Demerara.
President Jagdeo said the establishment of the velodrome is engrained in the PPP/C manifesto which also includes plans for several indoor sports facilities across Guyana.
President Bharrat Jagdeo presents the President’s Trophy to Brittney Van Lange following her victory in the female 100 metres medley event. (Photo by Adrian Narine.)
Guyana’s 2008 Olympian Nial Roberts receives the President’s Trophy from President Bharrat Jagdeo, following his victory in the male 100 metres medley event. (Photo by CTF Roberts)
