One more summer is expected to pass by before the eagerly awaited state-of-the-art swimming pool at Chamundi Vihar stadium here is thrown open for the public.
With the work on the project, conceived more than 10 years ago, is proceeding at a snail’s pace, the authorities ruled out the pool being ready before the end of summer this year.
Two more months are required for the works to be completed, Assistant Director of Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports K. Suresh told The Hindu .
The project was sanctioned when Mr. Siddaramaiah was the Deputy Chief Minister, but it was a non-starter in view of the dispute over land allotted for the construction of the swimming pool.
However, an alternative plot of land was allotted later and work was launched in 2013.
“But, the initial estimate of Rs. 3.25 crore had to be revised. A fresh estimate was prepared for Rs. 3.62 crore and work began only in 2014,” Mr. Suresh said.
Now, the works pertaining to the sanctioned amount of Rs. 3.62 crore, including construction of 50mx25m main pool, warm-up pool and children’s pool, besides other facilities like balancing tank, filtration unit and green room etc have been completed.
Even the electronic touchpad used for holding national level competitions is ready, he said. But, an additional estimate for Rs. 1.35 crore had been sent for works like landscaping, compound wall, drainage, parking etc that had not been accounted for in the initial estimate.
“We have recently received the administrative approval for the additional estimate. We should be able to complete the work in two months,” Mr. Suresh said.
Freelance sports journalist C.K. Muralidharan expressed dismay over the delay in the completion of the swimming pool.
“Except of the University Swimming Pool in Sarawathipuram and the newly opened swimming pool in JP Nagar, which is joint venture between Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and a private party, the residents of Mysuru have no public swimming pools,” he regretted before adding that the early opening of the pool at Chamundi Vihar will give the residents of eastern parts and northern parts of Mysuru with a public swimming pool facility.
