There is a growing excitement among athletes and users of the National Stadium, Lagos, over the intensification of renovation works on the swimming pool, hitherto in disrepair for over two decades.

The rehabilitation of the swimming pool follows the facilities inspection tour of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, and his insistence that the facility must come back to life by the end of the first quarter of the year.

While many had thought that the resumption of works was only a surface move, they are pleasantly surprised that the rehabilitation has intensified, giving assurance that the ministerial deadline for completion would be met.

A follow up visit to the facility shows a beehive of activities on various aspects of the pool. The main pool and the diving section having been cleaned up, retiling has begun with materials as specified by FINA and approved by the Nigeria Swimming Federation.

While the water filtering machine, which had been vandalised, is also undergoing repairs, four boreholes have been sunk as a measure to ensure supply of water not only for the main pools but as well for offices and the children’s section.

Undaunted by the vandalism of the expensive armoured cables on the electricity network, the contractor has ordered new rolls for their replacement and the rewiring is in top gear.