K8.2bn aquatic centre ready next week
The K8.2bn Aquatic Centre in Lilongwe is set to be opened next week as the works are nearing completion ahead of the Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Games scheduled for December 2 to 11 in Lilongwe.
The games’ Local Organising Committee chairperson Dennis Mombera said in an interview on Thursday after visiting the site that installiation of a filtration system has been finalised and they are now “almost there”.
He said: “What is left is completion of the stands and the VIP section, then painting of the floor of the pool after which water will be connected to the pool.”
Over 3500 athletes and officials will descend on Malawi for the games which will attract 10 participating countries.
Mombera has since assured Malawians that the facility will be ready by next week.
“We are assuring the country that we are close to completion here and that the facility will be ready for the games. This is from what we have seen after we toured the facility. Malawians should not be worried,” he said.
The aquatic centre consists of a 50-metre long international Olympic swimming pool, 25-metre long training swimming pool, new covered stands, double storey VIP wing and a social services block.
The facility also has a gym, conference hall, block fence, turnstile entrance, water tower, mechanical and electrical works and external works.
In an earlier interview Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda thanked Lilongwe Water Board and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi for their quick response in connecting the facility with water and electricity, respectively.
He said: “What caused the delay was that most materials were imported and we had to wait for months until the consignment arrived. The pump and filters took time to arrive.
“But all the materials are now in and we had to double the workforce to ensure everything finishes in time.”
The minister also thanked workers at the site.
“We are also grateful to the team from Directorate of Buildings and Ministry of Youth and Sports. They have been dedicated and are doing a fantastic job,” he said.
The facility will have a capacity of 5 000.
