Just three months since it was reopened by the Rotary Club of Kingston, Bournemouth Bath in east Kingston is barely keeping afloat financially despite the scorching heat of summer.
"What the pool basically needs is more sponsorship to maintain the operational function," said Nathan Brown, a senior instructor at SwimJamaica and head coach at the Bournemouth Bath. "We need funding for bills to assist the development."
The monthly requirement to properly sustain the pool is $600,000.
"We are way below, and we are trying to find ways of encouraging people to come out for the programmes to assist in terms of recreational swimming (and) classes. It's the usage of the pool that we need. More numbers come in and pay, and we will meet the quota. So we need a minimum 300 persons."
Residents not filling quota
At low admission fees of $200 per adult and $100 for children under 12, it is bewildering that residents would not be filling this quota. Currently, there are 32 persons enrolled in the summer learn-to-swim programme at Bournemouth and 300 sponsored swimmers. There are three clubs for learning to do competitive swimming for back-to-schoolers who want to join their school's swim team - the Marlins Swim Club, the Water Polo Union and Island Aquatics Synchro, which will be hosting an invitational at the bath in early October.
"We have seen a lot of talent (here in the community). We are hoping to capitalise on this talent, but it's not all of them can afford the cost of swimming because swimming is a very expensive sport," Brown said. "We've seen talent in terms of swimming and seniors becoming instructors to assist here."
He added: "The beauty about here is that, if we get the community support of just attendance and paying the small fee to enter, it will more than sustain itself. If we get funding, this place can be one of the hottest spots in town - in terms of pool parties, graduations, wedding receptions - apart from competitive swimming."
Plans to complete refurbishment continue to progress slowly but surely as, by the end of the week, a canteen will be set up there where tuckshop sellers from the community were previously invited to the bath to provide food for poolgoers. By the end of the year, the ground floor should be completely refurbished. Construction of the second-floor computer café envisioned by the Rotary Club is stalled until the necessary funds are procured sometime next year.
grace-ann.black@gleanerjm.com