The Barbados Aquatic Centre in Wildey is in for a much-needed upgrade during this national shutdown.
Barbados Aquatic Sports Association (BASA) president, Tony Selby, explained that since the May 18th Coronavirus (COVID-19) protocol issued by the government for public pools to remain closed, a decision was made by the BASA executive to upgrade the pools along with the lights that have been there for more than 30-years.
During a telephone interview with Barbados TODAY, Selby said he was unable to give an estimate of what it would cost to do the upgrade. However, in a notice sent out to BASA members, it stated that equipment and materials would be ordered forthwith so work can commence. The notice also explained that once all goes according to plan, work should be completed by mid-July.
Selby also revealed that because Barbados was scheduled to host the CARIFTA Swimming Championship in April that has since been cancelled, BASA was hoping that the other CARIFTA federations would allow Barbados to stage the championship next year instead of St. Lucia which had the rights for 2021.
“We are taking the opportunity to carry out maintenance of pools, both the 50m and 25m pool. In addition to that, we are looking to install more efficient stuff and we are also replacing the light poles which are rusting. They have been there for years and can now be considered a hazard, so we need to replace those poles before they come down and cause injuries to someone. So they are the primary things that we are going to be taking advantage of at this time.
“CARIFTA was supposed to be held last month but because of COVID-19, it was postponed. But now with all the developments concerning COVID-19, we have cancelled it completely for this year. Hopefully, the other CARIFTA federations would permit us to host it next year. So that is the intention and we are presently awaiting confirmation for that but that is the intention that Barbados will now host it next year,” Selby said.
Once maintenance and upgrades are completed in July, Selby explained that they were hoping the current restrictions put in place by the Government would be relaxed, so training could resume in the pool with provision put in place for physical distancing. BASA will also be taking into consideration the protocols and stipulations set out by the world governing body International Swimming Federation (FINA) when that time comes.
School is also expected to be closed for summer vacation until September and during that time, BASA is hoping that once work has been completed at the facility in July, scheduled training will begin once the all-clear is given. It is expected that each member club would be allowed two-hours each day to train, commencing at 6.a.m. This would allow for safe training and adequate time for cleaning the pool until school reopens and then the schedule will be readjusted.
The hosting of events is one way BASA earns revenues and like other associations, they have suffered financial loss because of COVID-19. In addition to hosting CARIFTA this year, Barbados was also expected to stage the Aquatic Centre International Invitational, a FINA-approved meet for the Olympics and that was supposed to be held at the end of this month but has now been cancelled.
“A significant amount of revenue is being lost as a result of no swimming happening during this time. Our revenue comes from membership and persons participating. If the facility is not available we are not receiving any revenues. Our revenues also come from the rental of the pools and that cannot take place at the moment,” Selby said.
morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
