When CNA visited the venue in late June, the high diving tower had already been completed, with workers in the process of filling up the dive pool.
Speaking to CNA on the scaffold deck towering 6m above ground, Mr Harry Yap, the venue manager for the championships’ Sentosa events, said that all that was left to be done was “touch-up work”.
This includes anti-slip material to be laid on the dive platforms, completion of wheelchair ramps and putting up of panels on the scaffolding.
To get the venue to where it is, Mr Yap said that a professional engineer had to be engaged to work out structural elements and loading capacity based on specifications from World Aquatics.
“Once we got this design and drawing, we also had to go through government bodies to get these things passed in order to ensure the safety of these structures,” he added.
Construction of the venue started less than three months prior.
“One of the challenges was also the tight timeline to construct this place starting from the 14th April. So, big credit to the contractors to be able to keep to a very strict timeline,” said Mr Yap.
The filling of the dive pool was to ensure that there are no leaks and take preemptive measures should any issues arise, he added.
On competition day, there will be a team of medical and safety professionals on site, said Mr Yap.
“In the pool itself, we will have two to three scuba divers, who will act as a lifeguard. On the pool deck itself, there will also be paramedics available,” he said.
MONITORING WATER QUALITY
Ms Kenza Brouwer, assistant venue manager for the championships’ Sentosa events and course officer for open water swimming, said on Monday that much work has gone into preparations for the event.
Her team will be marking the course in the water on Tuesday, for the races which range in distance from 3km to 10km.
