POOL REVIVAL ......GC Foster facilty to get $7-m facelift

[Karl]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>POOL REVIVAL ......GC Foster facilty to get $7-m facelift</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline>April date set for opening of pools</SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>KAYON RAYNOR, Observer staff reporter
Thursday, March 08, 2007
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=400 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>The dilapidated swimming pool at the GC Foster College with (inset) a run-down diving well. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>THE garbage-strewn swimming and diving pools at GC Foster College of Education and Sports, which has not been in working order for the better part of two-and-a-half decades, should become operational by the end of April.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Yvonne Kong, principal of the institution, which celebrates its 27th year in September, revealed that much-needed work, estimated at millions, will be carried out on the facilities over the next two months.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"It is very important for us because we need $7 million to get the pool up and running at basic conditions," Kong told the Observer in an exclusive interview at the institution yesterday.<P class=StoryText align=justify>GC Foster College - a co-educational and residential institution which trains teachers in physical education and sport - is situated on 41 acres of land at Angels in Spanish Town, St Catherine.<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=140 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>KONG. SDF has given us some half of that money and Lucozade has now come in to give us a portion, so the pool will be up and running by the end of April. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>"Sports Development Foundation (SDF) has given us some half of that (money) and Lucozade has now come in to give us a portion ($1 million), so the pool will be up and running by the end of April," the principal added.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"I have not yet heard from the people with the motor for the pump and we are giving ourselves a little extra time because of the weather and for painting the pool as that has to be done in dry time, but by the end of April we will be finished for sure," the soft-spoken Kong assured.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to Observer sources, the swimming pool, which can accommodate up to nine lanes, is 50 metres long and of 6'5" deep in the middle, while the Olympic size diving pool is 17-18 feet deep.<P class=StoryText align=justify>General manager of the SDF, Ludlow Watts, confirmed that his organisation will be pumping a substantial amount of money into the project. "Yes. You are correct, the SDF has agreed to provide $3.5 million to the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sports to make the swimming pool operational," Watts confirmed.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"As you know the pool has not been functional for many years and that has been a serious concern amongst the students and even outsiders... An approach was made to us and we decided to step up to the plate," he added.<P class=StoryText align=justify>On the matter of the $1 million being provided by Lucozade for the swimming pool project, consumer marketing manager of GlaxoSmithKline - distributors of Lucozade - Robeth Streete noted that this was the latest of their many initiatives being done with the GC Foster College.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"We started with a nutrition wo

[Karl]

RE: POOL REVIVAL ......GC Foster facilty to get $7-m facelift

Lucozade/G C Foster College event set to be biggest yet
published: Thursday | March 8, 2007 <DIV class=KonaBody ssBEK="true">

Anthony Foster,Freelance Writer

WITH ATHLETES pushing for Champs qualifying marks, the 2007 Lucozade/G. C. Foster College meet set for Saturday is shaping up to be the biggest ever.

At yesterday's launch, which was held at the school, it was disclosed that close to 3,000 athletes - a 50 per cent increase on last year, had so far confirmed for the meet - dubbed 'Last Chance' for Champs.

All the top schools, Holmwood, Vere, Manchester, St. Jago, Edwin Allen girls, along with Kingston College (KC), Wolmer's, Jamaica College (JC), Calabar and St. Jago boys are expected to take part.

Lucozade's inaugural sponsorship is set to run to $800,000, and $350,000 of that was handed out at yesterday's launch.

Robeth Streete, consumer marketing manager at GlaxoSmithKline, the distributor of Lucozade Sports, said her company was happy to be a part of the event.

"GlaxoSmithKline, through our mega brand, Lucozade Sports, is very pleased to be the headline sponsor of this year's G. C. Foster Classic, which is also a primary qualifying event for the national Boys and Girls Championships," Streete said.

Full potential

"Lucozade Sports continues to support the development of our athletes and to help them realise their full potential. Our main objective is to provide a distinctive product range for our athletes that will assist in effective preparation, guaranteed endurance and ensure speedy recovery from rigorous training and competition," she said.

Street also told the audience that in order to assist in the development of world-class Caribbean athletes, her organisation would be partnering G. C. Foster College in several ways to achieve its mission.

"Lucozade Sports remains dedicated to improving sporting performance and enhancing the achievements of our local talent," she said.

Meet director Edwin Murray said the event was geared towards developing talent.

"We are committed to play our part in the development of Jamaican athletes," Murray said.

Entries closed yesterday and Murray said late entries would not be accepted.

The events are: 200m, 400m, 1500m, 70mH, 80mH, 100mH, 110mH, 400mH, 3000m, 5000m, 4x400m, high, long, triples jumps, discus, shot put and javelin.

anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com</DIV>

[Mosiah]

RE: POOL REVIVAL ......GC Foster facilty to get $7-m facelift

<DIV>Great! About time this wonderful institution maximises its great potential. The infrastructure is already there, thanks to the Cuban govts.' contribution. Let's hope a good maintenance plan can be enforced when all its parts are brought up to scratch.</DIV><DIV></DIV><DIV>(Clap)</DIV>