Froud: Current Pool as Scheduled is Flawed

Past President of the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association [BASA] and present BASA member Tab Froud has commented on the planned Aquatic Center saying, “many items are being withheld from the public on the new pool currently scheduled to be built by the NSC Trustees.”

Mr Froud went on to say that the “recommendations by BASA have been dismissed without explanation“ and that ”We (BASA) are not getting clear answers from the Trustees and it is felt that the current pool as scheduled by the NSC is flawed.”

Mr Froud continued on to say thar our location makes Bermuda a great venue to hold major competitions, and that even now they are receiving requests for pool use by US based swimmers. He says that is one reason they have pushed so hard for the right pool and design for Bermuda, and that the Aquatic facility may never be fully utilized if built wrong.

The ground breaking for the Aquatics Center took place on October 21st at the National Sports Center in Devonshire. The facility is expected to take just over 18 months to finish, at a cost in the region of $16 million which the Government has already provided funding for. Phase 1 of the construction will commence on November 1, 2010. The Aquatics Centre will consist of a 50m 8-lane pool with a combined dive tank and dive platform, marking the first and only 50m pool and dive tank in Bermuda.

The facility is designed by CannonDesign Architecture and Government has said that all components of will be sanctioned by the international swimming governing body FINA, and will be suitable for the competitive aquatic sports of swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming.

Questions, provided by Mr Froud, to be asked of the NSC Trustees:

• It has been advised that funding was approved for $15M. The NSC Trustees estimate cost to be $16M. We are $1M over before we even start!!

• What is the projected cost for the Phase 1 pool? As we have seen in the past on other projects will this cost escalate? Will the 16M go to $30M?

• Why have the Trustees revoked the agreed plan (between the NSC and BASA) of a 10 lane pool to an 8 lane pool? Have they taken into account the scheduling of all users during peak time? Considering all users i.e. 5 swim clubs, 5200 mandated school children, requested after school programs, Diving, water polo, synchronized swimming. How can all this be accommodated with a pool that has a diving well in one end which will half the available pool usage when in use. With a 10 lane pool design and a separate diving well as chosen by BASA many more schedule time slots are available to users.

• What is the cost difference between a 10 lane 50M pool vs. an 8 lane pool. It has been shown a 10 lane 50M can fit on the site. If cost was a factor in selecting the 8 lane option – would it not have been an option to fundraise the difference with the end users? An extra 2 lane cannot be out of financial reach if needed?

• The NSC has built a Track that can be used for a major Track meet. Why would we not want to hold a major swimming event in Bermuda? Bermuda has competed in Carifta, CAC Games, etc. Sports Tourism is another source of use for the Centre.

• As 50M Swimming competitions require a warm-up/cool down pool for athletes. With the current plan this will mean we cannot hold any major competitions such as Carifta, Masters events etc.. . If other phases are planned when will they be built? At what envisioned costs?

• It is understood that a Myrtha plan was submitted to included 3 pools for an estimated cost of near $16M. They offer a long warranty period of 25/30 years. Why would the NSC have chosen a more expensive method with a shorter warranty period?

• CanonDesign is a Canadian Company and it has been reported to us that due to legal/tax issues may not have the ability use Myrtha Canada to sell to Bda. A Myrtha pool sold to Bermuda would have to be purchased via the International section of Myrtha. If that is the case, is this the reason why CanonDesign has not recommended a Myrtha pool?

• In the past 16 years 15 major competitions (World Championships, University Games, Olympic Games European Championships, East Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, US. Olympic Trials etc.) have used Myrtha pools – Why? Does this mean that 16 Countries made the wrong choice? Myrtha Pools® has built swimming pools in over 70 Countries around the world: from Iceland to Arabia, from Brazil to Japan, from United States to Australia; in all extremes of climatic and environmental conditions.

• If it is deemed by the NSC Trustee’s that Bermuda’s environment has more salinity than else-where in the world. A study shows that the Mediterrean Sea actually has more salinity than Bermuda. Myrtha has many pools in the Mediterrean all without an issue as outlined by the NSC.

• The facility used by BASA (6 lane 25M pool +20 years old) is needing major maintenance performed with a cost of near $70,000. This will require a complete shut down for a month (+/-) to remedy. Has this been considered in the choice of pools?

• What type of Warranty is attached to the “preferred method” selected by the NSC Trustees?”

#AquaticsCenter #Construction #Swimming

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