Sec 37, 38 modern community centres open for public now

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, March 26

Over three months after their inauguration, state-of-the-art community centres at Sectors 37 and 38 will be thrown open to public on Tuesday. The decision in this regard was taken during the House meeting of the Municipal Corporation here on Monday.

The hall booking charges have been fixed at Rs 30,000. Besides, those availing of the facility will have to pay refundable security of Rs 15,000.

The terrace of the community centres will, however, remain opened for club members.

These centres have air-conditioned and soundproof halls with seating capacity of 400-450 persons. Besides, these have modular kitchen, pantry, bridal make-up room, family room and an open-air kitchen. The halls also have swanky chandeliers, worth around Rs 6 lakh.

At present, around 300 residents have sought membership of the centres.

The two centres, which fall in the ward of former Mayor and councillor Arun Sood, have remained closed thus far.

The MC had faced a lot of criticism due to this as these centres have come up at the cost of nearly Rs 5 crore each. The centres remained in controversy following a fight between the councillor and Pankaj Gupta, president of Residents’ Welfare Association, over the issue of membership.

The House on Monday also approved that there would be no police verification for becoming members of these two centres. Following deliberations, the House gave a free hand to the local councillor in this regard. However, Mayor Davesh Moudgil made it clear that the House could review all guidelines later.

Gupta said he would move court against the MC decision.

Meanwhile, the House did not approve a proposal for increasing the rates of other ‘ordinary’ community centres. MC Commissioner Jitender Yadav said so far, no decision had been taken with regard to revision of rates.