Plans for the construction of a National Aquatic Centre were unveiled Monday morning at Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.
Minister Shawn Edward noted that to develop first class athletes, government needed to provide adequate infrastructure. He said that commitment was given further expression at the level of Cabinet when a memorandum presented by the ministry was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers recently.
“I am happy to report this morning that by way of Cabinet conclusion number 664 of 2013, the Cabinet of Ministers agreed that the National Aquatic facility will be situated in Beausejour, Gros-Islet, that is adjacent to the cricket facility in close proximity to the indoor facility and the National Tennis Centre,” he declared.
The youth development and sports minister also announced that his ministry was given a mandate to provide a facility in the southern belt of the island to meet the growing demands brought on by the development of swimming in the south of Saint Lucia.
“We have been instructed to go ahead and put plans in place to ensure that a facility is constructed for swimmers in the south. As far as that one is concerned we are pretty advanced. We have a proposal and we are considering a 25 metre four lane pool to be situated somewhere in the vicinity of the George Odlum facility.”
Edward expressed the hope that the advent of the new facility would in no way disenfranchise the management of the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre and cause their business to subside.
He credited the facility for playing a substantial role in the development of the sport here in Saint Lucia.