Pool structure not compromised by construction of Warm up facility

Oct 12, 2013 Sports

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By Franklin Wilson
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony along with Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, Deputy Permanent Secretary Steve Ninvalle, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Managing Director of Innovative Engineering Consultancy Services Deoraj Dalchand and Contractor David Mohamed of D&S Construction, briefed the Media yesterday on the progress of works for the 25M Warm Up Pool at the National Aquatic Centre.
Minister Anthony in his opening remarks said that his ministry was responding to queries that were raised by the media which resulted in yesterday’s activity.
He noted that their intention was to have the 50M Pool along with a 25M Warm Up Pool which would ensure the requisite training for local swimmers as well as prepare Guyana to host high level competition at the highest levels.
“That was a promise that we have made and we are now fulfilling. From the technical side we have had the engineers work on the design of the pool and we are now implementing that design.”

Like the 50M Pool, the 25M Warm Up Pool would also be Pre-Fabricated and supplied by Myrtha Pools of Italy, they also supplied the 50M Pool and the warranties are the same.
“We’ve gone back to Myrtha Pools which would have been recommended by FINA, the governing body for swimming in the world, they are ones who recommended Myrtha Pools to us
and we worked with them to build the 50M Pool.”
The 25M Pool has already been delivered to the Ministry and the Minister noted that they are now awaiting the completion of civil works before the experts from Myrtha arrive to install the Pool.
“The Myrtha Pool component is costing us US$288,000 and the civil works from the local contractor, which is to do the base and the decking, that’s going to cost us approximately 37.5M Guyana dollars. Once they have completed their works in March we’ll invite Myrtha Pool s to put up the pre-fab Pool. So we need to work quickly and in a timely manner.”
Anthony noted that they would have learnt from some of the challenges faced from the 50M pool, pointing out that the design for the 25M pool is slightly different from the bigger pool. He said that the previous pool has extensive piling (about 110, 70 feet piles). The existing building also stands on a number of piles.
“What we are doing here is a different arrangement, I think they are calling it a strip foundation, so we are not piling and it is less costly. Piling is an extremely costly process. We are pleased that we are at this stage but we’ll urge the contractor to work very hard and ensure that he delivers on time.”
Anthony informed that his ministry wants to work hand in hand with the media.
“We would urge you, once you have questions and queries as we progress that you contact the DPS, Mr. Steve Ninvalle who will be able to bring you up to speed and from time to time as we make progress on the pool we will invite you to come and see what we are doing. If you have anything that you want to know about the pool, just ask us and we’ll make those arrangements for you to get the information.”
“I think what we need to do is work in partnership so that you understand what we are doing and you are able to convey that information to the general public.”
Kumar in brief remarks said that the national Sports Commission had to take precautionary measures by dropping the water level at the existing pool by a two meters to stave off the current foundation for the warm up pool being compromised.
Swimmers who are currently preparing for the Inter Guiana Games will not be affected by the closure of the National Aquatic Centre. They are now practicing at Colgrain and Castellani Pools.
“Our International and National swimmers will continue even after the Inter Guiana Games to use these two pools for training, we have made that arrangement and we are very thankful to Office of the President.”
A Technical brief was presented by Mr. Deoraj Dalchand, Project Engineer of the Warm Up Pool as well as the Consultant attached to the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport.
The Deal for the Project was inked on August 16, 2013 and the Site was handed over to the contractor on September 10, 2013 whilst works commenced five days later.
“We had some relocation of pipe works which were in the construction area and this was done before any excavation was started. We started excavation on September 23.”
Dalchand noted that works are ongoing at the moment and that they have six months to complete
civil works which would take them to March 2014. Systems are also being put in place to ensure the structural integrity of the existing 50M Pool and the adjoining building.
To date, one month has elapsed out of the six months allocated for the completion of civil works and Dalchand has indicated that the contractor is confident that he would be able to complete works within the stipulated time frame.
Looking down the road, Minister Anthony said that they will be looking at a shed for the existing stand as well as concreting the grassy area around same. It was also disclosed that the water filtration system at the pool is second to none citing that the bacteriological filters are among the best. There is an automatic system that also adds chlorine to the water as required.
The Ministry has also bought a number of equipment from Myrtha to maintain the pool which includes an underwater vacuum cleaner and lines that are of international standards among other items.
The 50M Pool cost in excess of 581M Guyana dollars.

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