The completion of an Aquatic Sports Project to develop the ocean swimming pool at Touliki was celebrated on Friday evening, 16 April.

The event also celebrated the birthday of Hon. Lupepau'u Taione.

The pool that facilitated swimming at any tide was previously under the management of the Ports Authority. However, it was closed after a drowning there in February 2020. Then the breakwater and pathway was badly damaged by Tropical Cyclone Harold in April last year.

A local private investor, Paea Pau’u, started developing the area early this year.

He said the project had incorporated three swimming areas within the swimming pool, including a swimming area for children between the age of 12-15 years. At the centre of the pool is a play ground area with facilities such as Banana Boat, and Rolling Balls. On the northern end of the pool is a swimming area for adults.

Paea said that they will also have in place trained Life Guards to keep an eye on swimmers in the pool.

The public walkway around the pool has been upgraded with a small tar-sealed track right around the pool for walkers and runners.

For refreshment and food and drinks, there is a Cafe Restaurant which will be opened from 7:00am to 9:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

The Cafe Restaurant will be open for business this evening, 19 April.

Awaiting a name

Paea said that a name of the Aquatic Sports Project will be announced later by Lord Fakafanua, the Speaker of the Tongan Parliament and the estate owner of Ma’ufanga, who officially launched the project on Friday evening but had to rush back to Ha’apai where parliamentarians are on their Annual Constituency Tour.

Paea said he invested about $150,000 to upgrade the Public Swimming Pool. A major improvement is the opening of a new outlet allow better flow of seawater in and out of the pool, which had become murky with only one inlet facing the oil tanker mooring place.

The second outlet has helped to flush the pool.