Rs 1.78 cr approved for second all-weather swimming pool
The UT Administration has approved a rough estimate of Rs 1,77,80,533 submitted by the UT Engineering Department to convert an existing indoor facility at the Sector 39 sports complex into city’s second all-weather swimming pool. As per the minutes of a meeting held this month in the presence of a Supervisor Chief Architect, Director Sports, Joint Director Sports, Chief Engineer and a swimming coach, the budget was given the approval.
It will be used for the installing, testing and commissioning of an all-weather swimming pool heating system in Sector 39. The rough estimate will include operation of five years and comprehensive maintenance cost of four years after deducting the liability period of one year.
“In this regard, a meeting was held by the then Secretary Sports on August 20, 2024, and it was suggested that any local swimming pool from 25m to 50m be converted for the local swimmers. The Urban Planning Department was asked to submit a report in this regard. On October 10 (2024) and November 4 (2024), it was intimated that the pools could not be converted. It was also stressed that the city was having only one all-weather swimming pool and it was necessary to have another pool. Thereafter, a rough estimate was submitted and all officers agreed to the proposal,” read the minutes of the meeting held this month.
At present, there’s only one all-weather pool in Sector 23 under the Sports Department, which functions throughout the year. Another all-weather pool, which is under the Panjab University authorities, exclusively caters to professional and budding swimmers in winter. Besides, the local all-weather pools in clubs are only for members.
“The work will start soon and it’s unlikely to trouble the summer schedule. The plant will be installed outside the pool premises and the pool may remain open for swimmers and members in the summer session,” said an official.
The background
In 2019, the then Sports Secretary had confirmed to build another all-weather swimming pool in the city. The existing all-weather swimming pool in Sector 23 was constructed in 1962. The pool at the Sector 39 sports complex is smaller in size than the Sector 23 facility. It is likely to have only four lanes and the depth has been limited to 4.6 feet. The same had been reported in these columns on November 7, 2019.
After the inauguration of the same complex in November 2019 by the then UT Administrator, VP Singh Badnore, the authorities had announced that the pool would be converted into an all-weather facility. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore, the Sector 39 complex is spread over 1.65 acres. It houses a 25m indoor pool, a multi-purpose hall (which is now turning into a mini-chess centre), a yoga centre and provision for having an open basketball and volleyball courts.
