The construction of sports facility projects worth millions is only the beginning of expenditure required as Samoa has found out.
The sports complex at Tuanaimato requires millions of dollars to maintain the many buildings particularly the Aquatic Centre.
Fortunately, a fund from China Aid of $20million tala is allocated for maintenance work at the Centre and for other maintenance work at Apia Park.
This was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Sports Facility Authority, Moefa’auouo Salale Moananu.
According to Moefa’auouo the $20 million from China Aid has paid for four technical assistants from China to maintain the pools over the years.
“China under China Aid, has accepted our request to assist us and provide this sum to upkeep (facilities) while government gives funding to upgrade facilities,” said the C.E.O.
The four Chinese technical assistants include a water specialist who deals with testing the pool water, ensuring it’s clean and safe for the public to use.
Moefa’auouo explained that the water used in the pools goes through tanks where it filters out the dirt and then goes through another system to further clean it.
He added a new system has been installed by the Chinese.
There are four pools at the Aquatic Centre; two of which are outside and open to the public.
The water from the pool is recycled through filters and chemicals are used rather than dumping it after use.
The pools are closed on Monday when the local staff and technical assistants clean the pools.
The Centre is open from Tuesday onwards.