PA to invest 2.2million in new Siren’s aquatic sports complex

The Siren’s aquatic sports club can finally fulfil their long-awaited dream of having modern, state-of-the-art sports facilities after the Planning Authority agreed to fund their ambitious project.

Through its Development Planning Fund (DPF), the Authority will be financing up to 70% of the project, which is equivalent to €2.2 million.  

Not only will the project enhance the area within St Paul’s Bay but, more importantly, it will serve to cater for the growing demand that exists in the northern region for acquatic sports facilities.  

The new acquatic complex will incorporate a main pool which will be the second largest in Malta, a kids\ learning pool and a three-lane indoor pool to ensure training can be carried out all year round.

To protect against inclement weather, as happened earlier this year, the main pool will be raised above sea level while a two metre wave wall will also be constructed.

The complex will also have a gymnasium, changing rooms and showers, a large sundeck, a pool bar, a diving school facility, a spectator stand and a restaurant at upper level.

Perit Vincent Cassar who chairs the DPF Committee said “the funding of this project heralds an important stage for the fund. It is the first major project that the Authority is funding which was not proposed by a local council, as is typical the case, but this project came directly from a non-profit making organisation.”

“We hope that this project will encourage other NGOs and private organisations who have the vision and dream to carry out a long lasting physical intervention within their community which is intended to upgrade the amenity and appreciation of a locality,” he said.

Siren’s ASC is one of Malta’s largest aquatic clubs with over 350 athletes (5-18 yrs) competing at a national and international level in both swimming and waterpolo.

The Development Planning Fund was established in 2017 and has over the past two years financed up to €12million in community projects across the Maltese Islands.

These projects include the embellishment of playing fields and open spaces, the restoration and regeneration of old properties for social community facilities, energy saving street lighting, the installation of open air gyms and much more.

Proposed projects can receive up to a maximum of 70% of the total project cost.

As of this year, to further assist the beneficiaries, an up-front payment of 30% of the project cost is given at the signing of the contract.

The monies for this fund come from two sources; the fees (20%) associated with regularisation applications and the tariffs that a developer is charged when on site parking is not provided for with a development permit.  

To view the entire list of DPF projects visit https://www.pa.org.mt/en/development_planning_fund