Swimming pool not available this summer also

Officials concerned issue contradictory statements on completion

Another summer has set in, but the works on the swimming pool at Chamundi Vihar Stadium, in Nazarbad, in the city, is limping since two years and the people have to depend only on the University of Mysuru pool, as membership fees in private pools is expensive -- thereby raising health concerns.

The versions of the officials concerned about the completion of the works is contradictory. While Assistant Director for Youth Empowerment and Sports K Suresh claims that the necessary funds have been already sanctioned and the pool will be ready in three months time, engineer of Mysuru Nirmiti Kendra H B Sathish says that the government is yet to release Rs 1.42 crore and the works may take another five months.

However, going by both version, the pool may be ready only after summer.

Private pools
Not all swimming enthusiasts can afford to go to pools in hotels and clubs, so, the pressure on the university pool at Saraswathipuram is immense. If the Chamundi Vihar pool is ready for use, it will serve the needs of the students in the Sports Hostel and also residents of the areas in the eastern part of the city.

The pool, being constructed at a cost of Rs 3.62 crore, is supposed to host swimming, diving, water polo and other sports events and also for general coaching. It was earlier estimated to cost Rs 3.25 crore.

The facility will include a competitions pool, coaching pool, separate changing rooms for men and women, bathrooms and toilets and administrative block. Three filter tanks from the USA, balancing tank and other equipment have been brought to the construction site. Laying of floor tiles and finishing touches are pending.

The location of the pool had to be changed from the open space besides the main entrance of the stadium to the site beyond the synthetic track, due to some legal problems. A total of Rs 2.20 crore has been released so far in instalments.

Suresh said, the works were delayed due to the procedures to be followed for availing permission from the Forest department for felling of trees on the designated site.