Cabinet has waived the requirement for planning permission for the development of the Cayman Islands Aquatic Centre and, with the procurement process completed, work on the long-awaited facility can begin.
The first pool modules arrived on Island from Indiana on 5 July, prior to government announcing the waiver on 24 July to pave the way for construction of the swimming structure.
Ongoing works with plans for site development and reconfiguration are under way to ensure minimal disruption during the development, according to the ministry of sports.
The Compass received a copy of the plans for the facility last year, which revealed that four acres of land would be utilised and the existing Lions Aquatic Centre would be demolished and converted into a parking lot.
“The arrival of the first shipment of pool components for the new Aquatics Centre marks the beginning of the next chapter,” Steve Broadbelt, president of the Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association said.
This “next chapter” of the facility is the most significant step taken since talks first began in 2003 when the then United Democratic Party administration agreed to help build the centre.
The project, whose cost is estimated in the tens of millions range, features two pools – a 25-metre and a 50m – a 3,000-seat grandstand, an athlete housing facility, a gym and an aquatherapy lane.
The new 25m pool would retain the name ‘Lions Pool’ to continue the legacy of Cayman swimming’s long-standing relationship with the Lions Club of Grand Cayman.
The structure will be capped by a ‘turtle shell’-shaped roof – an architectural nod to Cayman’s heritage.
Minister for Sports Isaac Rankine noted that the facility is finally coming together through the work of his government, private sector partnerships and the dedication of local non-profit organisations.
“This is another noteworthy step in the development of this project and this Government’s commitment to advancing sports in the Cayman Islands,” Rankine said.
In May, Rankine told the Compass that the long-awaited aquatic centre could break ground in 2024, saying; “We are hoping by the end of this year, we’ll have something to show the public.”
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