National pool winter training by overseas groups cancelled because of works delays

The work on the national pool may be nearing completion, but delays have caused many complaints from overseas groups scheduled to use the pool for training.

Although some groups have postponed their trips, others have cancelled, and other prospective bookings have been turned away, resulting in considerable financial losses.

Sources said the pool had been aggressively marketed last year as a winter training option and had been successful in concluding a number of bookings.

However, the pool has been closed several weeks longer than originally envisaged.

"It's a disgrace. It will be very difficult to get these groups to ever consider using Malta again," the sources said.

The pool has given trouble for years. In 1998 the tiles of the pool started coming off and though the pool was re-tiled, the problem kept recurring.

The Lm19,000 project was aimed at removing the tiles from the bottom and replacing them with a special coating and net.

The pool was originally closed in January for the new coating to be applied to the floor, but as soon as the pool was emptied, some of the side tiles came loose and had to be re-fixed.

Technical problems with the coating and foundations delayed the process even longer.

As it is, fingers are crossed that the pool will be ready in time for the annual international meet scheduled for April 16 and 17. Normally 400-500 people come for the meet, which is preceded by a week of training. However, only half that number are expected this year, as it was not as actively promoted because of the uncertainty over the pool completion date.

Kathryn Borg, the interim head of the pool, declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

The Amateur Swimming Association is to meet today to decide whether to go ahead with the winter waterpolo league, which should have started two weeks ago.