Memorandum of Understanding signed for new Gozo swimming pool

by Gozo News · November 11, 2016

The Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo and Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport Chris Agius, were present at a business breakfast today, during which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed that will lead to the construction of a swimming pool in Gozo.

Minister Anton Refalo said that following a consultation process with several entities they are pleased to be signing this MoU today.

He explained that the swimming pool with a length of 33.3m and a width of 20 m will serve both waterpolo games as well as swimming and training. The pool will be equipped with sanitary facilities and changing rooms of the highest level and will also have a stand with seating for 400.

The facility will not only be used by sportsmen but also will include a 10 m x 5 m therapeutic pool for rehabilitation purposes, he said.

Dr Refalo said that over the past months criteria had been followed and the Ministry for Gozo through the Privatisation Unit issued a request for proposals to the private sector to design, build, maintain and operate the complex.

He added that the Government through the Ministry, would have at its disposal a number of hours a week free of charge in both the main pool and the therapeutic pool. The general pool will be used for physical education purposes by school children, while the therapeutic pool can be used by persons with disability, as well as patients who need specific therapy.

"Today is the first step of this my dream and promise that I made at the beginning of this legislature. This shows the Government's commitment to Gozo and Gozitans! "Said the Minister for Gozo.

The Minister also mentioned that the Gozo Sports Festival, which this year attracted no less than twelve thousand Maltese visitor to Gozo, won by a unanimous vote The WTM Global Sport Tourism Innovation Award at a ceremony in London, with entries from 190 countries. "Surely this has placed Gozo as a sports tourism destination worldwide," he commented.

Meanwhile Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius explained that with the signing of this agreement the Government is continuing to fulfil another electoral promise; that gives due attention to sport in Gozo, in this case building more facilities. "This pool has been promised for many years, but it was thanks to this Government that the dream is now becoming a reality."