New national facility set to expand access to aquatics and inspire future generations
Grenada officially broke ground this week on its new national swimming pool, a project made possible through the World Aquatics ‘Pools for All’ development programme. The facility will become the country’s world-class home for aquatics, offering opportunities both for elite athletes to train and for young people and community members to learn to swim in a safe environment.
The Pools for All initiative was created by World Aquatics to help countries without adequate infrastructure to develop aquatics in a sustainable way. It focuses not only on building accessible pools, but also on working with local partners to create long-term development strategies that increase participation, empower and nurture athletes, and strengthen water safety education. A central element of the programme is the Discover Water initiative, which promotes swimming as a lifelong skill that supports health, safety and recreation while addressing the global issue of drowning prevention.
Grenada’s project reflects the extensive collaboration behind the programme. The pool is being delivered through the combined efforts of World Aquatics, the Grenada Amateur Swimming Association, Grenada National Olympic Committee, the Government of Grenada, the International Olympic Committee, Panam Sports and World Aquatics partner Myrtha Pools.
The ground breaking ceremony brought together representatives from across Grenada’s sporting community. World Aquatics Vice President Maureen Croes, Grenada Olympic Committee President Bernard Wilson, and former national swimmer for Grenada Delron Felix all spoke about the facility’s importance for the island.
Grenada’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Delma Thomas, emphasised the pool’s role in shaping the nation’s sporting future, noting;
“Every medal we dream of at CARIFTA, every representation on an Olympic stage, every child who will learn to swim safely will begin here at this aquatic facility”.
Maureen Croes, speaking after the ceremony, highlighted;
“Getting started with aquatics at a young age is so important, not just for sport, but for safety, confidence and lifelong enjoyment of the water. Facilities such as this pool bring communities together, give children the skills to stay safe and provide opportunities for everyone to experience the benefits of swimming. It’s been fantastic to work with our partners here in Grenada and across the world, to make this project a reality and I’m looking forward to seeing the completed pool!”
Construction of the pool is set to begin shortly. Once complete, the pool will serve as Grenada’s national hub for aquatics, giving athletes the platform to pursue their sporting ambitions while also providing a safe and welcoming space for young people to learn, for communities to gather and for the love of aquatics to develop across Grenada!