Amenities at national pool systematically vandalised

Plans are in hand to replace the pool tiles at the national pool complex in time for the Small Nations Games being held next year.

The pool needs to have the tiles replaced because patches have become loose.

The executive chairman of the pool complex, Maurice Gruppetta, said the project was expected to cost about Lm50,000. However, he added, the figure did not cause as much concern as the recurrent costs to replace amenities at the complex which were systematically vandalised.

Mr Gruppetta said every effort was being made to keep the complex properly maintained but it was a difficult task, considering the large number of people, about 1,000, who made use of the complex at any one time during the summer.

Cleaning was carried out every day but it was not easy to keep the place in tip-top condition at all times of the day, he admitted.

Apart from the damage to amenities, it is a difficult task keeping the changing rooms in good order and up to the desired standards.

Mr Gruppetta said that about eight shower curtains were damaged or stolen every week while coat hangers were regularly damaged or stolen. There were times when four toilet seats went missing in a week. Recently, new showerheads were installed but these were also stolen within a week.

Mr Gruppetta said the pool incurred considerable expense some four weeks ago to repair the damage caused to doors and other equipment after a waterpolo match.

Over 100 token-operated lockers were also damaged. The keys of some were broken inside the lock - all within a three-week period.

But, Mr Gruppetta said, vandalism did not just occur during or after waterpolo matches. Glass panes were the target of vandals. Mr Gruppetta said the cost of replacing a glass pane was 25 per cent of what a club would pay to use the pool facilities for four training sessions a week for a month.

Due to financial constraints and subsidised rates, the management could not afford to have attendants in each changing room.

The complex operated a security system but to patrol the complex at all times would require a workforce that would make costs unrealistic, Mr Gruppetta said. It currently had 31 employees.

The complex was built in 1993. Faults in the tiling of the pool floor and the wall started to appear after a few years, he explained. The tile replacement, which had cost Lm40,000, is the subject of litigation between the government and the original contractor.

The same problems recurred last year and the tiles would be replaced, at a higher cost, probably in the region of Lm50,000, for next year's Small Nations Games.

Work on the pool tiles project is expected to start in the near future.