Sambalpur, Oct. 8: The Veer Surendra Sai Stadium in the city will shortly have a gymnasium with modern equipment. The construction of a building for the gymnasium is over.

Secretary of the Sambalpur District Athletic Association Dulal Chandra Pradhan said: “The gym will be equipped with modern facilities. The building has already been constructed at a cost of Rs 15 lakh. Former Sambalpur MP Amar Pradhan had provided the funds from the MP local area AD fund. We are procuring the equipment. The gymnasium will be operational within next 10 days.”

“The facility is expected to benefit cricket players as well as local youths. Members of all the clubs in the city — which are affiliated to the association — will be allowed use the gymnasium with a nominal membership fee,” said Pradhan.

The association has decided to appoint two instructors at the gymnasium. “A female instructor will also be appointed to help the women members,” Pradhan said.

The stadium, which has six galleries and a capacity to accommodate around 20,000 people, has hosted several Ranji Trophy and Deodhar Trophy matches, along with Under-14, Under-16 and Under-19 cricket matches. However, it lacked a good gymnasium.

Local resident Supreet Dash said: “The association’s decision to open a gym in the stadium is really praiseworthy.”

Apart from the gymnasium, the district athletic association is also developing a park on the premises of the stadium. The drainage system of the stadium has also been improved. The Western Odisha Development Council had sanctioned Rs 5 lakh for this purpose. The height of the boundary wall of the stadium is also being increased.