Lautoka City Council’s chief executive officer, Mohammed Anees Khan, has expressed optimism that the appointment of a project manager for the Lautoka swimming pool will expedite its completion.
The new project manager will focus on identifying the remaining tasks necessary to make the facility available for domestic use. However, Khan noted that this does not preclude the possibility of adapting the pool for international competitions in the future. If there is sufficient demand from the community, the facility can be upgraded to meet international standards, which would involve acquiring specific features such as a timing device, lane ropes, and launch pads. These enhancements could either be purchased or rented from the Fiji Sports Council in Suva.
Khan stated that 50 percent of the project has already been completed and funding has been secured for that portion. He dismissed claims that 90 percent of the project payments had been made in advance to the previous contractors. The estimated cost to finish the pool for local use stands at around $4.6 million, and preparations are in place for potential upgrades if the need for international competition arises.
Regarding infrastructure, Khan mentioned that while there will be no permanent pavilion for the swimming pool, the existing temporary structure used by the Drua can be disassembled and relocated as necessary to accommodate events.
In a related note, regarding the investigation report commissioned by the former Ministry of Finance on the swimming pool project, Khan stated he was unable to comment.
Additionally, it has been noted that the initial cost of construction for the swimming pool surged from approximately $2 million to $12.6 million between 2017 and 2018, as reported by The Fiji Times.
This development is a hopeful sign that the Lautoka swimming pool project is moving forward and will soon serve the local community, with the possibility of fostering greater interest in swimming and hosting higher-level competitions in the future. The project’s progression represents not only a commitment to enhancing local recreation options but also to potential economic benefits from hosting events that draw participants and spectators alike.
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