The site in Action Area I where the NKDA swimming pool is coming up. (Sanat Kumar Sinha)

After a football ground and a cricket stadium, residents of New Town are set to get a swimming pool. The pool complex is coming up on a plot measuring about two acres. It would take two years to complete the project. The project cost has been estimated to be Rs 9.5 crore.

New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA), which was created with the mandate of providing civic amenities of the township, is responsible for executing the project. “We aim to promote and encourage sporting culture in New Town. And without a proper infrastructure, we will not be in a position to provide encouragement. We have a football ground in Action Area 1, a cricket ground is coming up in Action Area II and a basketball ground is on its way in Action Area 1. Now construction work has started for our swimming pool, which is coming up in Action Area 1. There is a demand for a swimming pool in the township. In due course when more and more people would make New Town their home, the demand would increase ever more,” said Debasish Sen, chairman of NKDA who is also the managing director cum chairman of Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco). Sen has made it clear that preference would be given to residents of New Town. “There might be some discounts for the township’s residents though these nitty gritties have not been chalked out. The administration of the pool would be in the hands of NKDA. Members will contribute for services provided to them,” said Sen.

“There would be two swimming pools, both measuring 25m in length and 16m in breadth. Both pools would have eight lanes. The pool deck would be at a height of two feet from the ground. And apart from these two swimming pools, we would have a learners’ pool too for children,” said an officer of NKDA.

The shallow end of the pool would be 1.2m and the deep end of the pool 1.8m.

Cows graze on the spot designated for the pool. Picture by Sanat Kumar Sinha

Apart from the swimming pools, the complex would house a state of the art gymnasium, a cafeteria, a changing block with facilities for shower for both men and women and a cafeteria. There would also be an executive club, which would contain two banquet halls and a library. There would also be provisions for playing indoor games like pool, table tennis etc. The executive club would be housed in a two- storeyed building.

“Work on the changing room block and the gymnasium has started in full swing. We would start construction of the swimming pools once the rainfall decreases,” said an official of NKDA who is executing the project. There would be a parking lot inside the swimming pool complex where 20 four wheelers can be parked at a time. Separate space would also be demarcated for two-wheelers.

Residents are happy that NKDA is taking an initiative to develop the sports infrastructure of the township.

'Initially my relatives dissuaded me from settling here. They used to call it a dead township. But now the scenario is changing fast. The most interesting point about the swimming pool complex is that it is being built by NKDA. So all sections of society can use the facility,' said Soumen Sadhu, a resident of Balaka Abasan.

Another resident of Chiroshree Apartment said such an initiative would help children of New Town learn swimming. 'It is a very good step. So many of them want to learn swimming. So far the only options within our means were to take them to nearby Salt Lake or to the city proper for swimming lessons,' said Tarun Mukherjee, a resident of Chiroshree Housing Complex.

Mimi Behara had left swimming when she got married and settled at her in-laws' place in New Town. 'I am happy that at last something exciting is happening in New Town. I would surely join,' said the resident of Animikha Housing Complex.

where to dive in now

The pool at Space Circle

Space Circle

Where: VIP Road

Season: April to October

Length: 25m

Charges: There are several types of membership available. Life membership costs Rs 2.1 lakh and is valid for 30 years. For ordinary membership, a three-month package costs Rs 15,000 and a year-long package Rs 60,000. Members can also avail of other club facilities like cricket, football and badminton.

Without becoming a member, residents can enrol to swim on weekdays at Rs 2,100 for a season and Rs 1,200 on weekends. Rates are exclusive of taxes.

Ecohub by Conclave

Where: Ecospace Business Park

Length: 35m

Season: All year

Charges: The pool is open only for members. For a five-year membership, one pays Rs 50,000 for entry and an annual maintenance charge of Rs 9,000. For a one-year membership, admission fee is Rs 16,000 and maintenance charge is the same. Rates are exclusive of taxes.