Aquatics Center Construction To Start Nov 1st
The ground breaking for the Aquatics Center took place today [Oct 21] 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.
Premier Dr Ewart Brown, Acting Minister for the Environment & Sports Zane DeSilva, and Sean Tucker Chairman of the National Sports Center Trustees all attended the Ground Breaking ceremony.
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. There will be changing facilities and restrooms that will service the pool area.
The facility is designed by CannonDesign Architecture Inc., and all components of this Aquatics Centre will be sanctioned by the international swimming governing body known as FINA and will be suitable for the competitive aquatic sports of swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming.
Chairman Sean Tucker said “The construction methodology of the swimming pool will consist of concrete that is made in Bermuda by local concrete suppliers and placed by Bermuda workers. Extensive research and comparisons have been conducted on the validity of concrete construction over steel panel construction and after careful assessment it was deemed by the Board (and also with the recommendation of one of the world’s largest engineering companies, Stantec) that concrete construction was the best method for Bermuda. We must add that Stantec employs approximately 9,300 employees operating out of over 150 offices in North America. Support for a steel panel constructed pool (in particular the Myrtha brand) has been put forward to the Board with the perception that the steel panel method is superior, far less costly and is cheaper to operate and maintain.”
Addressing the actual construction, Mr Tucker said “The construction of a traditional concrete pool shall allow for the hiring of many more skilled local labour than that of a specialized construct of a steel. Local companies will be used for the electrical works as well as for the concrete and aggregates supply. The National Sport Centre Board has hired local labourers for the construction of the Aquatics Centre and is pleased that more than 50% of the entire workforce will consist of local workers. It is anticipated that the ratio of local workers to foreign will be even higher once the project gets underway.”
Minister Zane Desilva said, “It’s an exciting day today – and rather appropriate that it’s raining as today is all about aquatics. On behalf of Minister Blakeney who could not be here today, let me commend all those who have worked so hard over many years to bring this final stage of the National Sports Centre complex to fruition under the oversight of the NSC Trustees and the Department of Sports within the Ministry of the Environment and Sports.”
“Swimming in Bermuda has long been a popular sport and many of our young athletes today are reaching new heights in competitions around the world. This facility will help nurture the next generation of competitive swimmers, and divers for which Bermuda has never had appropriate facilities. We will also look forward to the introduction of water polo and synchronized swimming.”
“While there has been public debate on the pros and cons of different systems to build this facility, I have absolute faith in the men and women on the NSC Board of Trustees, acting on the advice of their consultants that the best possible solution is being built on this site.”
“Let me thank Mr. Tucker and offer my congratulations to all involved in making this important project move forward. I know it will benefit the entire community, and I’m sure we will soon see more Bermuda athletes not only participating, but winning competitions at home and abroad.”
The Premier said “2010 has been an outstanding year for Bermuda’s swimmers with names such as CSIC Gold Medalist Kiera Aitkin and 5 time record breaker Mitch Gariepy making headlines around the world. I am encouraged by the tremendous accomplishments of our local competitors and believe that this new facility is not only a worthwhile investment in our people but also represents a tremendous opportunity for young Bermudians. We look forward to the successful completion of the Aquatic Centre and to hearing of the exploits all of the remarkable athletes who will soon be calling this facility “home.”
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Concrete supplied by Dennis Correira no doubt. LOL
And the beat goes on, just like our love for Doc, everlasting….Been had, hood winked, bambozzled,lied to, misled, cheated…
We deserve it, yes we do!!!
Laughing my way back to Turks girl…
LOL
How does Butch feel about this last minute signing??? He is a Correira convert. Enquiring minds want to know…
That Stadium still looks the pits….knock it all down and have the Asians rebuild it….I bet the Persons that design this rediculas looking stadium must be rich!?!
It’s taken what 30 years to figure out what it’s supposed to look like??????
island construction trucks in the background
do we need a swimming pool at this time
Do we need a swimming pool!?! Why not change that to… “Its about time!!”
Just because you dont swim that does not make it a useless investment.
Clearly you are not aware of the many olympic level competitors in swimming and diving Bermuda seems to consistantly produce… As the saying goes …”You better ask somebody!”
Asking that question is similar to questioning weather we should invest in careers in sports. Not everyone wants to be an underwriter…
Looking at this in a positive manner (unlike the above commentary), this is an excellent step to bringing international competitions in aquatics to Bermuda. This will: 1)give us greater intl exposure, 2)allow our athletes to compete against international competition on their home turf, 3)create jobs during building and long term (upkeep), 4)provide another pool which can be used for disability access & rehabilitation like Sands 360, 5)promote further recreation for year-round swimmers… to name a few key roles this investment can and will play in Bermuda’s future.
I can stand pessamistic people with no VISION trying to find something wrong with everything under our beautiful sun!
Start within yourself because you will never see good in the works of others if they do not exist within you!
Olympic level qualifiers is relative. Keep in mind that it is far easier to qualify in those sports versus football. No debate on that. It is a fact. Also qualifying and never getting to a final round is relative. Right? Well isn’t it???
Why do I suspect this person would normally object to a capital project under Doc???
Hmmmm!!!! Maybe we are fine with the person if they are advancing a specific and personal agenda.. Hmmmm!!!
yes and we’ve needed one for a long time.
We’ve spent milllions on football and cricket.. and lately we’ve had sup par results and lack of discipline..hell even a few criminal issues.
It’s time to spread it out more evenly to other sport sthat produce top end athletes. Swimming is one of them.. it produces far more Olympic athletes than any other bermuda sport i can think of. If they dont make it to a final? meh.. we are an island of 65000 people.. just to make it is a dream shot..
and as of late.. yes.. i think a lot of people would oppose a capital project under doc. They consistantly have the signs of cronyism, corruption and consistently show up FAR over budget..
no football and cricket and you will have many, many more criminals..far more positives then negatives and far more difficult to compete internationally when you have T&T, JA COSTA RICA and Mexico in your region. ALl have gone to the world cup.. When swimmmers make the final rounds of an Olympics then let’s have a real conversation.. like I said false argument.. apples and oranges..
Also need to know from the Trustees if the swimmers will be able to practise there all year.. Why I ask?? Football was constantly denied access to both training fields .. the official line being cost of upkeep , lights etc.. so much so that the FA had to develop their own field. So I will be keeping a keen eye on this little matter..
.Also keep in mind that the 3 million a year was an election ploy.. The budget was slashed in the 2nd year by 50% and eventually by 66% in the 3rd year.. Myth debunked..
I agree with Donna, is there an actual need for an aquatics centre? Sure it would be nice but I don’t think there’s any need. We have pools and the ocean, and I’ve never come across someone saying “Damn bermuda, no where to do synchronized swimming!”
Oh Ewart, when will you learn..
We have Olympic swimmers that have to live in other countries to train as Bermuda does not have a center for them. I feel that this should have been done years ago as we continually have swimmers on the world stage. Millions get spent on other sports on the island but it seem any sport we do very well gets left in the dust. The Bermuda squash and rugby teams did amazing this year overseas yet the only squash courts are private. I am just glad to see this is finally happening and I hope that it will be completed correctly and to budget, unlike everything else in the past 4 years!
Get a grip Chris. The country is bankrupt and you think this is the best time to be spending millions of dollars. Really?? Really!!!
Football has had their budget slashed 66% ( and no Execuive member complained ) and keep in mind that they provide much more then an international outlet for thousands more kids then what ends up in pools and on diving boards.
Squash attracts a handful of kids and are you really serious about the rugby comment? Amazing is relative, ie, if they performed well against even the 2nd tier or third tier countries then amzing would apply.
frankly, as chris says, its about time we should be training our athletes here.
people complaining about this as a waste dont realise that this was a project in the works ages ago, that got cut when the budgets went to football/cricket.. this is not some new idea …
hell the hole in the ground has already been dug…
leave the hole.. feel no pain for a few people ( by comparison ) that have to go abroad to train.. It’s a false argument when you say that these swqimmers are doing well.. against who/ what is the quality of their normal opposition..get a grip..
he has learned and how.. he isn’t remotely interested in the sport/s assocaited with the centre..the money and as such interest is in the building of the centre..really that simple..
“In the region of $16 million” Will someone note the time and date of this press release?
NB. Today’s headline in the daily speaks volumes!
Think this is a great Idea!! We have been needing this for a while!!
Oh and Donna…. I dont know what pictures your looking at but I dont see any Island Construction trucks in the background… you should get your facts straight before you open you mouth… its yellow yes not Island construction though.. and its a JCB by the looks of the wheel not a truck .. its actually a telescopic forklift.
cause they are at all the other sites that doc has made money on….it is 16 mill being spent when we are a bill in debt…
who ever said doc is not a diverse fella is just wrong…LOL .. Been had pepole of colour.. you have been played..
Hunte first if all I was talking about this site no other site.. stick to the subject… Secondly, go to these sites and take pictures and post them on here.. you will soon learn that Island Construction only has about two jobs going on right now… get your facts straight you sound like the royal gazette..
lighten up bra, purely tongue in cheek stuff …i know that he is well tired after all that govt cash he has been truckin to his bank…only 2 jobs.. oh my.. feel his pain,..
LOL
S.. and who is to gain from all the concrete required, now that a certain person has the concrete silos ( sp )??? Hmmmmmmm!!!!
Multi tasking masters .. got it all wrapped up. from now until eternity. Nice!!
Buildings, Docks, Emissions, Concrete Production and all signed off on by one person … Oh, forgot dolphin condos…
@dhunte – get a life and job if you don’t have one. The swimming pool was in the plans when the College was knocked down to make way for the new stadium – that was over 15 years ago. It’s finally happening – despite the cost – I am happy that something is being done to help develop the talent that Bermuda has. Black/White/Blue/Pink – who cares… Some children have a fear of the ocean – they can learn to swim in a pool. And if the request has been that demanding – why not let Olympic swimming teams train here – it will be good for children to interact with world class athletes and possibly get tips from them.
This will be Govt’s major capital project for the new fiscal year – with some of the early expense coming out of this years remaining budget.
Other small nations – in particular Islands have a national sports complex – Bermuda is just taking it’s time to get there. Swimming can be extended into Interschool sports – Cedarbridge and Berkeley Students will now have the opportunity to take swimming lessons – As well as the other Govt Primary Schools.
When running a business – there is always a huge upfront cost – without a vision – the cost seems like a waste – but in the long run – the investment pays off and in this case – Majority of the Island will benefit.
btw – do you know how hard is to find local LIFE GUARDS to patrol the beaches during the summer – so now they can actually hold classes in a public place to train LOCALS that may be interested. In your bashing of Doc and the Gov spending $$$ – you failed to do a comparison of the cost vs the benefits.. so save the political BS until you can make a rational informed comment. And in your cost analysis – you forgot to take into account that this project’s cost will be spread out over a period of 2 financial years – so it is already in Govt’s budget.