A stainless steel pool wasn't selected for the National Sports Centre (NSC) because one wouldn't hold up against Bermuda's climate, according to Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney.

He defended the position taken by NSC trustees, insisting the metal would rust.

The move was questioned in the House of Assembly yesterday by Shadow Sports Minister Charlie Swan.

He said a proposal by the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) to build a 'Myrtha' stainless steel polycarbonate-coated pool seemed sensible to him.

"I find it strange that the stainless steel design was rejected on the grounds that it would rust in our climate," said Mr. Swan. "The fact that stainless steel is designed not to rust indicates otherwise."

Mr. Blakeney maintained that a stainless steel pool would rust. He said that Puerto Rico had just rejected a proposal to build a similar pool for that very reason.

Government and NSC trustees have been criticised by environmental group BEST for not taking the advice of BASA. BEST has argued that the concrete and tile design put forward by the NSC will be too costly to build and will not be nearly as energy efficient as a Myrtha-style pool.

Rather than the NSC's eight-lane pool with a diving well, BASA wants to see a ten-lane, 50-metre pool with a separate eight-lane, 25-metre pool for diving and other aquatic sports.

Yesterday, Mr. Blakeney said the eight-lane tile and concrete pool approved by the Department of Planning is a compromise that will meet the needs of the community.

"We did not see a one-size-fits-all solution but one that would satisfy the community," said Mr. Blakeney. "We don't think it is warranted to build a ten-lane pool."

BASA argues without a separate pool for diving or warming up, Bermuda will not be able to host any major regional games.