Chandigarh: 3 sports centres at Sector 42 complex to have AC facility

The badminton hall at the Sector 42 Sports Complex, the weightlifting and boxing coaching centres are set to become the first-ever air-conditioned indoor facilities for respective sport in Chandigarh.

The process to install air-conditioning ducts has already been completed in the weightlifting and boxing centres, while the work to install the ducts at the badminton hall is on the verge of completion. Thereafter, an air-conditioning plant — a system of machinery and equipment that heats, cools or circulates air or water in a space — will be installed to cover all three facilities under the central air-conditioning. Airconditioning plants — known as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems — will be installed behind the badminton hall earmarked for the same purposes.

Currently, the Sector 23 table tennis and gymnasium halls (Sector 42 and Lake Sports Complex) are the two centres under the UT Sports Department which offer air-conditioned facilities to the players.

The Sector 42 Sports Complex is one of the oldest infrastructure under the Sports Department. The complex was constructed in 1988 on a 90-acre site which houses training centres for hockey, football, boxing, judo, wrestling, weightlifting and badminton halls — which earlier had wooden floors, basketball hall (synthetic court) and others.

Coming back to these three facilities, the complex houses three badminton courts — which usually remain high on demand among the members, who play for leisure and also professionally in the masters’ category. The boxing and weightlifting indoor multipurpose hall attracts hundreds of trainees on a regular basis and also caters to senior amateurs not only from the city, but also from the region.

“This is a welcome step and will help the authorities host some major championships in the future. Also, it’s a boon for local boxers and weightlifters, who will be able to hone their skills for extended hours in summer,” said Vijender, a former national-level boxer.

Shuttlers are also happy with the initiative of making the facility air-conditioned. The city has only one air-conditioned badminton (multipurpose) hall, which is under Panjab University.

“The badminton courts at the Sector 42 Sports Complex remain high on demand during summer and winter. Perhaps, this is the only facility which remains open for members till 11 am and beyond 8 in the evening. So, the facility needed such a facelift. The department may increase user charges for the summer season to provide the facility to the members,” added Ashish Chahal, a badminton enthusiast.