Chandigarh to have two more all-weather swimming pools

Tribune News Service

Deepankar Sharda

Chandigarh, June 28

Chandigarh will soon have two more all-weather swimming pools under the UT Sports Department, confirmed sources today. The existing indoor swimming pools at Sector 27 and Sector 39 will be converted into all-weather facilities —- a proposal which has been approved at the initial level.

The process to upgrade these facilities will start soon after the involvement of the UT Engineering Department.

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.

Both pools of Sector 27 and Sector 39 are known as kids’ pools with a depth of 2.5 ft on the shallow side and 4 ft on the deep side. Their length is 25m. “The proposal has been approved and these two centres will be converted into all-weather facilities. The technical part, including insulation pipes, a heating element and an electric plant, will be taken care of by the Engineering Department. These two facilities are already getting a good response from the members.

“After the completion of the upgrade work, the city will have three all-weather facilities, including the existing one at Sector 23, which will result in less rush at one centre,” said a senior official.

However, the work to upgrade these centres may take some time. “We are aiming to complete both projects soon to start the winter session. However, everything depends upon the Engineering Department,” added the official, requesting anonymity.

Work at Sector 23 pool yet to start

The Sector 23 all-weather pool, which is closed for repairs, is yet to catch officials’ attention. During the Covid curbs, only this all-weather pool was open to professional swimmers. The tender (with a cost of about Rs 25 lakh) is yet to be floated to start the repairs. After completing the initial formalities, the Sports Department is waiting for the Engineering Department to start the work at the pool.