7 years on,sports complex to be ready this month

“With many buildings coming up in Yerawada,there is little space for outdoor games. We have been hearing about the sports complex for long,but it is still under construction. This complex would be a boon for sports enthusiasts,” said Manasi Ghodke of MHADA Colony in Yerawada.

The foundation stone was laid in 2004 after which the authorities also received a Rs 16-crore grant from the state. A 15-member committee headed by the then divisional commissioner and divisional sports officer (DSO) as secretary was also set up.

The complex will come up on a seven-acre plot and will have a multi-purpose hall for badminton,table tennis,wrestling,boxing,five nets for cricket practice,an international-level swimming pool,diving board,basketball court and three synthetic tennis courts.

The land was handed over to the Pune DSO in 2005. As the architect appointed by the DSO had quoted an estimate way above the grant sanctioned,the deal was called off. It took around two years to settle encroachment with the PMC. The Public Works Department (PWD) was given the contract to build the complex. The PWD took two years to construct the ground floor and first floor of the indoor hall and the contract was terminated at the end of 2008 owing to slow progress.

Fresh tenders were issued in 2009 and a new contractor was appointed,who is now working on the project. “About 80 per cent of the work is over and the swimming pool,tennis and badminton courts will be ready by May 31. The indoor hall needs some finishing work and will be ready in around two months,” said Pune DSO Uday Joshi.

“We have to travel to Camp,Deccan or Swargate to avail of sporting facilities. The sports complex will be a good recreational centre,” said Vihang Gupta,a student.