National Pool's turnover doubled in five years

The National Pool Complex managed an operational surplus, which was substantial in the last year, in three of the last five years, complex chairman Maurice Gruppetta said yesterday.

Over the last five years, the National Pool Complex has invested some Lm150,000 of its directly generated funds, in addition to an even greater amount invested by the government, to upgrade and improve facilities.

Participation both by locals as well as foreigners has been constantly on the increase. Turnover in these last five years has doubled.

Mr Gruppetta was reacting to criticism that appeared in Pierre Cassar's column in Friday's The Times.

Mr Gruppetta explained that the National Pool receives an annual grant for repair and upkeep. This grant was Lm219,000 in 1997 and was established at Lm80,000 p.a., in the last three years, although the Government has injected additional sums.

Furthermore, this grant has taken the form of a subsidy on rates charged to the local swimming association and to local swimming and waterpolo clubs.

This subsidy exceeds Lm70,000 p.a. and the balance of the amount subsidises fees for schoolchildren.

On the question of the long-awaited installation of a canopy, Mr Gruppetta had no definite date but said that a call for tenders would eventually be issued once funds for such a project are available.

"In 1999 and in 2000 the Board had called for an expression of interest for the supply and installation of different types of canopies. Throughout last year, discussions with canopy constructors were continued and have reached an advanced stage," he said.

The reception area has been extensively refurbished and the whole complex is being given a facelift.

New plumbing and tiling in the changing rooms shall, in the next few months, help further improve the efficiency and the general appearance at the Complex.

"It is pertinent to point out that up to five years ago 75 per cent of the buildings around the complex were simply not in use and these areas have been finished and refurbished to the benefit of additional facilities and ancillary sports associations," he said.