Mikheil Saakashvili opened a 33 meter long and 22 meter wide swimming pool in Rustavi today, which complies with Olympic and all international standards. The President arrived at the opening ceremony together with a group of orphans who are growing up in a small family type home. By invitation of the President, several excelling public school students also attended the opening. Mikheil Saakashvili spoke about the importance of the swimming pool and the implemented and planned infrastructural projects in town.

“When I became President there was only one functional swimming pool in Georgia – “Laguna Vere”. There were several swimming pools during my childhood, but later on they built living quarters in place of those pools.  A couple of pools were opened in the Tbilisi Center but they were not affordable. We have now begun building pools across the entire country. We are building them in the suburbs of Tbilisi. The “Olympic” swimming pool was built in the Samgori district; we are building a very good pool in Varketili as well as in Gldani. Rustavi is becoming a very good and interesting town. You should bring people on an excursion here. The streets have been accommodated, city lights installed, facades are being renovated…everything is good but the water supply is the most important. The betterment of the water supply system was followed by the construction of this pool. We are building an aqua park outside and this town will have a sports arena next year as well. Additionally, a park is being built here, the design of which belongs to a Spanish architect. The most important thing is that many jobs are being created here. This place will be one of the best in terms of infrastructure. An autobahn is also being built, which will make travelling to Tbilisi shorter. Rustavi is an independent town, but it is linked to Tbilisi. Tbilisians will soon start travelling here. Rustavi will be the best town in Georgia in terms of infrastructure for the youth. All of this assists in increasing the apartment prices in Rustavi, the standard of living will also go up and migration will cease” – stated Mikheil Saakashvili.

The Head of State toured the swimming pool and learned about the services it offers the local residents. The sports complex in Rustavi, built as a result of the initiative of the President, unifies a fitness hall, sauna, beauty salon, cafes and other necessary infrastructure. It has already been planned to hold international competitions at the pool. It has bleachers that can host over 200 viewers. The nearby area of the recreation center stretching over 3,500 square meters was also well accommodated.

Mikheil Saakashvili laid a cornerstone at the construction of another project today – an aqua park which s going to be built near the pool in 2013. The President of Georgia symbolically laid a capsule in its base.

A certain category of the population will have an opportunity to receive discounts while using the pool, including a 70% discount for socially unprotected citizens, 50% discount for participants of military actions as a result of the Russian aggression in 2008, refuges and family members of those who have lost their lives while fighting for the unity of Georgia and students. The pool will be free for excelling students of public schools.

Several million GEL has been spent on the construction of the complex. Up to 200 people were employed in the process, and once the pool becomes functional up to 40 people will be employed.