Challenges of Swimming Pool Maintenance in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Antia, Mfon Ekanem& Akpan, Uduakobong Enamidem
Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Uyo, Uyo
Department of Estate Management, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Uyo, Uyo
Email: mfonantia@yahoo.com, uduakobongakpan@uniuyo.edu.ng
Corresponding Author: Akpan, Uduakobong Enamidem
ABSTRACT
This study examined the problems of swimming pools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and assessed the barriers to pool maintenance in the study area. The study covered the 32 public pools available in the study area as at the time of study. A purposive sampling method was used to distribute questionnaire to three categories of persons – Pool attendants, maintenance personnel and users. Information on the common problems of swimming pools, maintenance problems and pool maintenance strategies were collected from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed using percentages and relative severity index (RSI). Findings revealed that the commonest problem as perceived by pool management was that some pool facilities could not be assessed after construction (RSI = 0.969) whereas, users ranked no safety equipment to stop children from drowning (RSI = 0.793) first. Results also revealed that high maintenance cost was the most severe maintenance problem in the study area (RSI, 0.628) followed by lack of maintenance expertise (RSI, 0.616). The most frequently used maintenance strategy in the study area was found to be corrective maintenance (REI, 0.678). The study recommends that pool developers should ensure the production of sustainable designs to enhance future maintenance.Keywords: swimming pool, challenges, maintenance, maintenance strategies.
