History of the Aquatic Centre

Built by a team of enthusiastic Masters swimmers on land leased by the Government of Barbados and funded entirely by the private sector of Barbados the Aquatic Centre threw open its doors on September 29th 1989 and became a reality after many years of careful planning. The 1986 dream of our visionaries of providing a facility in which aquatic activity could develop and flourish after the pool at North Point Surf Resort in the northern end of the Island and many other private pools dotted around the Island proved inadequate to harness the fast growing momentum which the sport was gathering, and became a reality after they 'put their money where their mouths were' to coin a popular vernacular.

Built at a total cost of approximately Bds$1,500,000 by Construction Engineer Angus Edghill, who was also the leading masters swimmer in Barbados, rose to the challenge and offered to build the Centre at cost. Mr Maurice Foster, after whom the learn to swim pool is named, agreed to take on the job of fund raising for the project.

On Friday, January 29th 1988, the first bulldozer began work on the entry road to the site. Mrs Anne Shepherd joined the fundraising team and Mrs Katie Gale coordinated accounting activity. It seemed as though the project was truly "an idea whose time had come" as the response from the business community was tremendous.

The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (now First Caribbean International) offered assistance with a loan of Bds $300,000. Other fundraising initiatives included the sale of advertising signs which produced about Bds$450,000, raffles and swim-a-thons accounting for approximately Bds$100,000 and donations of material and labour came from a number of construction companies. Many companies, besides taking advertising space, also contributed cash and equipment.

Generosity of the business community

Two examples of the generosity of the business community are worth special mention. Workbench, a furniture company, was approached to provide a quotation for 10 tables and chairs and a board room table. This Company donated all of the furniture along with two couches and chairs to accompany the board room table.

Mr Kent Cole of Caribbean Painting Services supplied the carpeting for the entrance to the Centre and the steps leading up to the stands as well as the VIP section and the two short sides of the learn to swim pool, again freeof cost. The Aquatic Centre was truly a demonstration of good will and confidence in the Association by the private sector.

We're open!

Shortly after the Centre was opened, parents and other well wishers staged "SPLASH" a remarkable presentation around the pool combining water ballet dancing and other performance on a stage that had been erected on the western side of the pool. This effort raised approximately Bds$100,000. The Government's schools' learn to swim programme generated additional income. The loan was repaid in full by the Barbados Olympic Association, thanks to their generosity.

The Barbados Amateur Swimming Association is therefore very proud of what it has been able to achieve since the opening of the Aquatic Centre in 1990 and wishes to thank all of its many volunteers, swimmers and sponsors without whose help none of this would have been possible.