The government says the delay in constructing Antigua and Barbuda’s aquatic centre stems from the national swimming association’s insistence on using a single, high-cost external consultant for the project.

Education, Sports and Creative Industries Minister Daryll Matthew said the government remains committed to building a certified swimming facility and is prepared to fund its construction, but not under the current terms proposed by the association.

“We have said to them that we know what is required, what we are prepared to pay for, and we’re committed to paying for is the construction of a properly certified pool,” the minister stated during an interview on ABS’s _First Look_.

Matthew explained that while the government supports building international-standard swimming and warm-up pools, it does not see the need to pay for bundled consultancy services that include design, feasibility studies, and construction.

“We don’t need to pay any high-cost consultant to come in to tell us that you need a gym, you need an office, you need a concession area, you need stands,” he said.

The minister revealed that discussions within Cabinet have now turned to potentially moving ahead with the project without the association’s agreement.

“One of my senior cabinet colleagues has said to me, ‘let’s just move on… and if it is that they are dissatisfied with it, then we’ll just have to deal with that,’” Matthew said.

He acknowledged his preference for consensus but argued the government could not allow progress to be stalled indefinitely.

“Every time our swimmers do well, no one says the Swimming Association is a hold-up. They say, ‘what is the government doing about it?’ And perhaps rightfully so. And what we’ll do is do something about it,” he added.

Calls for an aquatic centre have intensified in recent years, particularly in light of strong performances by local swimmers at regional competitions. The government has faced repeated public pressure to provide modern facilities for athletes.