Construction for 50m pool could start by December

After 20 years of negotiations and various hiccups, the Cayman Islands may finally be getting a 50-metre pool for its athletes.

According to Stephen Broadbelt, Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association president, construction on the facility could begin this year.

“We have spearheaded this with the government, and it is at a very advanced stage,” Broadbelt told the Cayman Compass. “We want to break ground by the end of the year.”

While Broadbelt remains hopeful that all will go as planned, the past two decades have shown otherwise, regardless of the government in power.

Talks first began in 2003 when the then United Democratic Party administration verbally agreed to help build the aquatic facility, but plans were sidelined after Hurricane Ivan hit the following year, during which financial priorities by necessity changed.

The subsequent Progressives government agreed to assist with building the pool, but then the global financial crisis intervened in 2008.

The project resurfaced in 2010 but again sputtered, though in 2018, Broadbelt said in an interview that while no decision had been made by the Sports Ministry, led at the time by Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, he had hoped to see the project begin at the end of that year.

Negotiations continued throughout 2018 and 2019, but then the COVID-19 pandemic threw a curveball into the plans in 2020.

Now, following the recent gold medal-winning performance of Caymanian swimmer Jordan Crooks in the 50m free at the World Championships, the facility is back on the table with the government and CIASA again in discussions.

“We have made a commitment to the pool,” Sports Minister Bernie Bush told the Compass back in December during a Heroes Square event held to recognise Crooks.

“We are the first government to put money down. We have money sitting down waiting for them. So as early as January, people will see the drawings… and we should have everything signed.”

Details on the project

Since then, the Compass has received a copy of the plans for the facility from Broadbelt, which will see the aquatic centre stretch across four acres of land where the existing Lions Aquatic Centre would be demolished and converted into a parking lot.

In addition to the 50m pool surrounded by a 3,000-seat grandstand, the multipurpose facility will also feature an athlete housing facility, a gym and a 25m pool with an aquatherapy lane.

However, there are some adjustments that need to be made before construction could begin at the end of the year.

Broadbelt noted that, with “prices getting more expensive every year”, they are currently going through a cost-cutting process for the facility that is estimated price tag to be around the tens of millions range.

Of that sum, Bush said the sports ministry has “put down $2 million towards the project.

“We are waiting on some final numbers to reduce the cost of what they call valuable engineering,” Broadbelt said.

While Broadbelt highlighted parts of the plan that needed to be scrapped, due to budget constraints, he said there are sections that need to stay for Cayman’s benefit.

He noted that the plan is to have a ‘turtle-shell’ shaped cover that arched over the facility that could serve as a landmark for the Island.

“One of the key elements is the athlete housing,” he said. “This will be used for football, track and field, squash, you name it. We want more international events happening in Cayman.”

One of the biggest problems with hosting events in Cayman is hotel costs, but athletes will be able to stay at the new aquatic centre, he said. “The goal is for all sports to benefit from this. We believe that it’s the trigger for sports tourism – this is the one piece missing.”

Jordan Crooks weighs in on 50m pool

Speaking with the Compass at the Heroes Square event, Crooks said that he too hopes that a 50m pool is built but reminded his fellow swimmers that greatness can still be achieved without it.

“I hope that it happens,” he said. “I think this would be a big step in Cayman swimming, but I would like all the Cayman swimmers, young and old, to just remember it’s still possible with or without certain resources.”

He added that up-and-coming swimmers should not dwell on things that are not guaranteed, saying, “it will be a great resource, but just think about competition. Whatever you have, use it to the best of your ability.

“And even if it may not be the same resource, are the same level, you just have to work a little harder than the next person, but it is possible.”

Meetings between CIASA and the government are ongoing, according to Bush. If the facility breaks ground by the end of the year, it could be finished as early as 2025 according to Broadbelt.

The Compass will continue to follow this story in the coming weeks.