Photo: Minister Natalie Neita-Headley cut the ribbon to the filters, also in picture Major Desmond Brown – Managing Director of IPL, Martin Lyn – President of ASAJ, Mike Fennel – Chairman of IPL (obscured) and Dr. Warren Blake – Chairman of SDF
After more than five decades in operation, the original filters installed at the National Stadiums swimming pool, when Jamaica gained independence in 1962, were finally changed at the facility. This was done through the help of the Jamaican government and the Sports Development Foundation (SDF).
Photo: Minister Natalie Neita-Headley cut the ribbon to the filters, also in picture Major Desmond Brown – Managing Director of IPL, Martin Lyn – President of ASAJ, Mike Fennel – Chairman of IPL (obscured) and Dr. Warren Blake – Chairman of SDF
After more than five decades in operation, the original filters installed at the National Stadiums swimming pool, when Jamaica gained independence in 1962, were finally changed at the facility. This was done through the help of the Jamaican government and the Sports Development Foundation (SDF).
Speaking at the commissioning of the new filters on Tuesday March 4th, Chairman of the Board of Independence Park Limited (IPL), Mike Fennel publicly thanked Martin Lyn for his role is maintaining the standards at the facility despite the financial challenges facing the swimming association over the years.
Fennel also said, “the pool needs to be widened to ten lanes for international competition…and the diving pool surface needs to be redone.”
Most importantly Fennel pointed out that, “at no time has the Swimming Association of Jamaica nor the Independence Park Limited compromised the water quality of the pool.”
A grateful Martin Lyn, President of the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ), labelled the day as a “great day for swimming.”
“We are opening a brand new system which exceeds FINA standards. We are hoping that more attention can be brought to the sport and we can now focus on the 25 meter pool (diving pool). Hopefully it becomes a reality, sooner rather than later.”
Also speaking at the function, chairman of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), Dr. Warren Blake indicated that the installation of the new filters will have a positive effect on the budget of the Swimming Association.
“Thirty million dollars ($30m) was spent to have the filters installed. They were never redone since they were installed originally.
He also added that “less chlorine will be required to maintain the water quality of the pool.”
The hot topic of the diving pool was also mentioned by the commissioner. “It will require much less funds, $6 million dollars, to fix the diving pool. Maybe we can do it this year or at least next year.”
Jamaica Wells, the contractors responsible for instillation of the filters, also came in for commendation for completing the job within budget and on time.
Dr. Blake said the work done in completing the upgrade at the pool represents just a part of the work being done by the SDF to improve the infrastructure across the island. He pointed out that the GC Foster College running track and the surface at the hockey field in Mona were next on the agenda of the foundation.
Representing the Prime Minister at the function, Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Sports Natalie Neita-Headley said,
“Today we celebrate the completion of another phase of the pool upgrading programme. Recalling that in 2013, we renovated the pool itself, now with the filtration system in place, we seek the assistance of all Jamaicans. Firstly, to protect and cherish the facility and secondly, to work with us in identifying the funds required to complete the project.
“Support us in whatever way possible, this is a public facility of which we want to be able to say once more, we are very proud of the legacy we are leaving for those to come, as those in 1962 did for us. They had the vision and it is now our turn. The swimmers, the media, the parents and the public at large, we need your support.”
The Minister called for continued support of the process and a continuation of the partnership that has brought us this far, “We have always been very proud of our athletes, so let us continue our walk in partnership. We all agree that sport can truly be for Jamaica a critical vehicle for social and economic advancement. Let us now walk the talk.
Congratulations to all the stakeholders who were involved in this Project. Let us stay focused and go the next step to have a world class facility right here at our National Stadium,” she said.
Swimming on the island will surely grow as a result of these new developments.
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