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| Gymkhana Club: Pathway to heaven |
Ranchi, Nov. 8: Ranchi Gymkhana Club (RGC) is on a vibrant mode. With major renovations on cards, the club promises to be the next hottest place to frequent in town.
The capital’s first civilian squash court, an exclusive game-zone for children, an upgraded gym, a revamped bar and lounge — all proposed — will soon make a visit to the 18-year-old club interesting, to say the least.
Sushil Lohia, RGC’s honorary secretary since inception, says development is an ongoing process at the club, spread over 17 acres of lush greens in Dipatoli.
“The bar is being revamped at a cost of Rs 10 lakh, and the spacious lounge will cost Rs 5 lakh. The bar will be open for our 1,000-odd members within a fortnight. The lounge and the squash court will be ready by the year-end,” Lohia says.
Membership to the club is open, provided incumbents can get three members to propose their names. The club charges a non-refundable enrolment fee of Rs 1.4 lakh for resident membership, Rs 15,000 for three years for temporary membership and Rs 1 lakh from visiting members, those who live outside Ranchi. Besides, a refundable security deposit of Rs 10,000 is collected from the members. RGC also has courtesy memberships, reserved for governors and high court judges. For them, the monthly subscription is Rs 400. About 60 members are inducted every year.
The club was formed by about 200 people, including some “dissatisfied” members of the Ranchi Club, with help from Usha Martin Industries Ltd. The company provided the land and the building. Usha Martin, in lieu of its generosity, gets corporate membership for 30 to 40 nominees and has six nominees in the nine-member governing body of the RGC.
The facilities are worth mentioning. Swimming pool, health club, billiards, basketball, lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, pool and other indoor games can be played here. A playground allows cricket, football and other outdoor activities. Apart from the card room and library at RGC, the members can also avail the facility at the Army Golf Club, situated across the road.
