The country of Grenada is finally getting the pool it has always dreamt of. On September 17, officials gathered at the National Stadium in St. George to break ground on the National Aquatic Center—a 25-metre, competition-standard pool that will serve as the island’s first national swimming facility.
Backed by World Aquatics’ “Pools for All” program, the new pool is designed to transform swimming in Grenada. It will give young people a safe place to learn, provide athletes a professional space to train, and open the door for the island to host regional competitions for the very first time.
Building More Than Lanes
For years, Grenadian swimmers have trained in hotel pools or open water, often at a disadvantage compared to their peers in neighboring islands. The new facility changes that.
Construction is planned in two phases:
- Phase One: Installation of the 25-metre competition pool, built to international standards by Myrtha Pools.
- Phase Two: Development of a pavilion and additional amenities to make the center fully equipped for competitions and community use.
Local firm Barry’s Engineering will handle the groundwork, ensuring the project also contributes to Grenada’s economy.
Why This Pool Matters
Grenada may be surrounded by water, but not everyone has had safe access to it. The pool is being positioned as a community lifeline as much as a sporting venue:
- Water Safety – Leaders emphasized the importance of every Grenadian child learning to swim, reducing the risk of drownings.
- Community Access – Families will finally have a safe, modern space for lessons, wellness programs, and recreational swimming.
- Athlete Development – Swimmers will be able to train at home instead of traveling abroad, helping Grenada produce stronger competitors for events like CARIFTA and the Olympics.
At the launch ceremony, the atmosphere was one of pride and anticipation. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell praised the persistence of Grenada’s swimming community, pointing out that their years of advocacy had finally made this long-awaited facility a reality.
Minister of Youth and Sports Delma Thomas followed with an emotional address, calling the project “transformational.” She spoke about the center as both a breeding ground for future medal winners and a safeguard for the nation’s children, ensuring that every Grenadian grows up with life-saving swimming skills.
The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on Gail Purcell, Vice President of the Grenada Amateur Swimming Association. She dedicated the new facility to past generations of swimmers who, despite competing under difficult conditions without proper infrastructure, laid the groundwork for what is now possible.
World Aquatics Vice President Maureen Croes added an international perspective. Confirming that the facility would meet competition standards, she reminded the audience that the project was about far more than medals. “This is about giving every child the confidence to be safe in the water,” she said, highlighting the center’s role as both a world-class venue and a community lifeline
Making Waves for the Future
When completed, the National Aquatic Center will stand as a centerpiece for Grenada’s sporting life, alongside the country’s cricket, track, and football infrastructure. It will also put Grenada on the map as a host for regional swimming competitions.
For World Aquatics, it marks another success in its global mission to expand access to swimming. For Grenada, it represents something even bigger: a promise that future generations will have the tools, the training, and the opportunity to thrive in the water.
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