During the recent rains, the Corporation playground in Trustpuram resembled a waterbody. Regulars at the playground point out a more permanent problem — an uneven surface.
According to R. Johnson, a football coach, the uneven surface is the result of stones embedded in the playground. Besides the fact that players trip over jutting stones and injure themselves, the defective surface detracts from the joy of playing any sport on this spacious playground.
Johnson says, “In the 1990s, the Corporation let out the playground for a circus. The organisers of the circus dug up the ground in many places to erect tents and stones were placed. After the event concluded, the playground was not levelled. Those stones are still embedded in the playground. But for construction of a compound, no renovation was taken up in the recent past. We learn that funds have been allocated for a makeover of the ground, but no work has been taken up so far.” Besides that, the playground has also shrunk to three acres, from its original size of four acres.
Now, a Metrowater office, a Corporation-run healthcare centre, a park and an apartment complex of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board take up a portion of the playground.
The playgrouns is used by many residents of K.K. Nagar, Teynampet, Vadapalani, Choolaimedu, Rangarajapuram, Kamaraj Colony, MMDA Colony, Arumbakkam and Periyar Padhai.
“Twenty years ago, private clubs in football and other sports would conduct State-level tournaments. Not anymore,” says S.R. Jayakumar, a long-time resident of Kodambakkam. The lone washroom is in a state of disuse for sometime now. It has been turned into a storeroom for bats, nets and balls.
Regulars complain that as the playground lacks floodlights, they cannot extend their game well into the evening hours.
“The markings on the basketball court are not visible. The ring is missing. It has been a few years since this facility has witnessed a game of basketball,” adds Johnson.
Through group--funding, regulars who play volleyball and badminton have developed courts to play these sports.
It’s said the playground lacks a rainwater harvesting system, which partly explains the heavy folooding.
