The government is currently working on plans for a waterpolo pool for the San Giljan Aquatics Sports Club, as was promised in the Labour Party’s 2017 electoral manifesto, this newsroom is informed. No date for the actual start of the project has as yet been set.

In its 2017 election programme, the Labour Party had pledged to enter into discussions with the San Giljan waterpolo club to consider the possibility of constructing a pool.

In response to questions posed by The Malta Independent requesting an update on the project, the government said that “this project is moving forward and the first phase, which involved the preparation of planning documentation and a matching plan to determine expenses, has been completed.” 

“This project has now moved onto the next phase, which is currently underway, and it involves a wide consultation with stakeholders.”

San Giljan is one of the two top waterpolo clubs still without its own pool. All other Premier Division clubs - Neptunes, Sliema, Sirens and Valletta – have their own pool, with Exiles being the only other club in the top division with San Giljan not to have their own pool.

This evening, San Giljan will be involved in the first leg of the play-off premier league final against neighbours Neptunes. If the San Giljan pool is built, St Julian’s Bay will boast of two pools almost right next to each other.

The Labour government has recently rebuilt the Birzebbuga pool, spurring the club to return to playing waterpolo at competitive level after an absence of several years.

San Giljan will next year be celebrating its 70th anniversary since its 1949 founding year, and supporters are hoping that the pool will start to be built during 2019.

Photo Alenka Falzon