Test the Waters

Its that time of the year when the weatherwoman says tomorrows going to be hotter than today,and shes right every time.

Its that time of the year when the weatherwoman says tomorrows going to be hotter than today,and shes right every time. Just when it seemed that a quick dip in the pool could soothe the baked nerves,the pools at Siri Fort and other stadiums are undergoing renovation for the Commonwealth Games. The result has been what Gaurav Kumar,sports manager of YMCA at Connaught Place,calls an unprecedented rush at public pools. He points out that at the YMCA pool itself,the early morning and evening slots are full for April. Only the 10 am and 3.30 pm slots are available for this month. People have started applying for slots in May and later, says Kumar,adding that the pool restricts membership to 35 per slot. The monthly membership costs Rs 1,400; the pool provides coaching facilities for an extra fee.

From officers who step out of swimming costumes into boardroom formals after a morning swim to students who dip in after school or college,Delhiites are making a beeline for the nearest pool while membership is still available. For instance,the vast,temperature-controlled pool at the Shangri-La Eros,a stones throw from YMCA,offers memberships only from June. The number of clients has increased by 30 per cent over last year, says Ruchika Mehta,director of communications. This,despite the hotel increasing charges by 5 per cent over last year. The membership rates begin at Rs 15,000 (plus tax) for a month and go up to Rs 60,000 for six months. There are also couple memberships starting at Rs 25,000 per month and family membership at Rs 35,000.

The Parks pool,Aqua,is a hub of activity. Anushree Banerjee,assistant manager,Public Relations,says,Apart from regular swimming hours that stretch from 7 am to 7 pm,there is volley ball every Sunday and Aqua Sarong Moonlight party on full moon nights. The next one is on May 28. The monthly membership for the pool begins at Rs 10,000 per person and Rs 25,000 for a family package. Members get 20 per cent discount on spa and salon services.

In south Delhi,among the most popular public pools are the Khazan Singh Swimming Academy near JNU and Baba Ganga Nath Sports Complex at Munirka. The former,run by the 1984 Arjuna awardee Khazan Singh,sees action in the evenings. The pool has three coaches and six lifeguards and offers a separate lane for women. You pay Rs 1,000 for the first month and Rs 800 from the second month,while a day membership is for Rs 100 per hour. The pool opens for three hours from 5 am and for five hours from 4 pm.

The Baba Ganga Nath Sports Complex,which measures 8 ft at its deep end and is 50-ft-long,can accommodate 80 people. The charges here are Rs 550 per person per month,and a single-day membership for an hours swim is Rs 35.

For the well-heeled,The Grand on Nelson Mandela Road,offers palm-lined pools. Apart from the adult pool with a maximum depth of 5 ft,theres a kids pool with a depth of 18 inches. There is a pool bar for light snacks, says Anasuya Basu,manager,marketing communications. The monthly membership per person is Rs 9,000. The pool opens at 7 am and closes at 8 pm on weekdays and 9 pm on weekends. For walk-in customers the charge is Rs 1,000 per day, she adds.

In west Delhi,the Pitampura Sports Complex is popular. The monthly membership per person comes for a pocket-friendly Rs 500,with another Rs 500 if you want coaching. There is a separate slot for women,from 10 am to 11 am and from 4 pm to 5 pm. The pool offers day memberships only from July to September,for Rs 30 for an hours swim.

Story continues below this ad

At the Indian Aquatic Academy,popularly known as the Kendriya Vidyalaya pool,in Sector 24,Noida,you have to pay Rs 1,200 per month,and Rs 4,000 for a six-month package. Another Kendriya Vidyalaya pool is one of the oases in Gurgaon. Called Baba Ganga Nath,a branch of the Munirka pool,it is popular with families largely because the monthly membership rate per person,Rs 1,000,doesnt pinch as much as those of clubs and resorts in the area. There is,of course,a Rs 700 registration fee and a first-month coaching charge of Rs 600.

Contact: YMCA,23361915; The Park,23743000; Shangri-La 41191919; Baba Ganga Nath,Munirka,26106083; Khazan Singh Academy 32933828; The Grand,26771234; Pitampura Complex,27326147; Indian Aquatic Academy 0120-2411777,Baba Ganga Nath,Gurgaon 0124-2221604

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
delhi
talk

Test the Waters

Its that time of the year when the weatherwoman says tomorrows going to be hotter than today,and shes right every time.

Its that time of the year when the weatherwoman says tomorrows going to be hotter than today,and shes right every time.