The kidney-shaped pool under construction (above and below) at Birsa stadium in Morabadi, Ranchi. (Hardeep Singh)

Here is some good news for fitness freaks, especially those who love aquatic exercises.

In a couple of months, Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Morabadi will host a world-class swimming pool, along with sauna and jacuzzi in a state-of-the-art fitness centre, which will be Ranchi district administration’s gift to its residents.

The sports department is funding the project.

“I don’t exactly remember the actual cost, but it is roughly around Rs 1.5 crore. We have already received the funds,” Ranchi deputy commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey told The Telegraph.

The kidney-shaped pool, which will be six feet deep, is almost complete. Its boundary walls and changing rooms are under construction.

“Other facilities like the sauna and jacuzzi, besides a 30- to 35-member capacity gymnasium is also on the cards,” said a district official who was reviewing construction activities at the stadium.

The fitness centre is coming up adjacent to the main gate (number 1) of the stadium.

“Work began in April and is expected to get over within this month or so. Till now the momentum was good, but with rains arriving, outdoor civil works may slow down a bit. Indoor constructions, for rooms for the sauna and gymnasium will, however, go on uninterrupted,” he said.

While there will be separate saunas for men and women, the gymnasium will be unisex.

The fitness centre will be open to all. “Modalities in this regard are yet to be finalised. However, it will be for both professional swimmers and amateurs at a nominal charge,” the district official said.

“Ranchi lacks good swimming pools. There is one at Mega Sports Complex at Hotwar, but that is in the outskirts. Clubs and hotels have pools exclusively for their members. So we are coming up with one. The whole idea is to encourage swimming as a sport,” added the official.

The administration is thinking of another swimming pool at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium, but plans are in the nascent stage. “Once this one gets operational, a decision will be taken whether to go ahead with the other one,” the official added.