The new sports complex at Parade Ground is likely to be functional by mid-June, according to district sports officer Satish Kumar Sarki. This sports complex in the heart of the city will comprise a 400 metres athletics track, two basketball courts, two volleyball courts and four tennis courts. A path for walking is also being built between the parking area and the outer boundary of the 400 metres athletics track.
The sports enthusiasts in the State capital are looking forward to the start of this facility with the hope that this sports complex will not only help the youngsters to strengthen their sports skills but will also provide a platform for budding players to prepare themselves for competitions at the national and international levels.
It will be recalled that with frequent public rallies being addressed by national level political leaders on the Parade Ground during the campaigning for the lok Sabha elections 2014, the pace of work on this sports complex had also been affected by the elections. At present, the frequent rains experienced in the recent past could delay the opening of this facility by a few days.
The Public Works Department might widen the road between the Parade Ground and Gandhi Park by at about five metres for smoother flow of traffic. The Parade Ground is the only open ground of its kind, free to the public in the heart of the city. However, frequent events including public functions and commercial events held on the ground have affected the sports activities on this ground. It is hoped that the new sports complex will improve the situation being experienced by sports persons.