Stadium Pool to be ready for Carifta

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

THE National Stadium Swimming Pool which was closed last May will finally be ready for the 25th staging of the Carifta Swimming Championship slated for April 3-6, John Eyre, president of the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ), revealed yesterday.

Eyre was speaking at the Knutsford Court Hotel during the press launch of the three-day aquatic event which will see over 300 athletes from 17 countries participating in three disciplines -- swimming, water polo and synchronised swimming.

"Work... has been progressing very well on schedule and I expect that pool to be ready with nice, clear water by the middle of March," said Eyre.

The pool, which has been out of commission for a while, was stalled because of the lack of funding necessary for work to be done on the refitting of key plumbing fixtures and patching-up exercise on the actual surface of the pool.

While the swimming races will be held at the eight-lane 50-metre Stadium Pool, the water polo and synchronised swimming events will be held at the Bournemount Bath Pool near Rae Town in Downtown Kingston.

Jamaica will be hosting the event for the fourth time following 1999, 2003 and 2007, and the president promises it will be bigger than ever.

"Every time we host the competition we raise the bar. It is a credit to our organising committee. It is cheaper for us and it provides the tools to drive the sport," Eyre noted.

The teams are expected to be arriving in the island on April 2 and will be staying at the Athletes Games Village at Knutsford Court Hotel.

Communications provider Flow Jamaica Limited is one of 10 sponsors, and their contribution in cash and services will be to the tune of $2 million.

Sharon Roper, Flow's marketing director, said her company is very proud to be a part of the hosting of the championship.

"Anyone who has been following swimming in Jamaica will tell you that swimming has been making quiet but steady strides in establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with," said Roper.

Flow will provide Internet services and will be showing highlights of the event on Channel 100 on its cable network.

Innovative Corporate Solutions, another major sponsor, has pumped in approximately $1.5m worth of services, including 20 computers, which will provide the high tech services needed in recording times and other information.

Sports Development Foundation, Courts Jamaica Limited, Jamaica Tourist Board, Puma, Sun Island, Rainbow Awnings, JUTA and Top Klass Events and Marketing are the other sponsors.

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Stadium Pool to be ready for Carifta