CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has initiated renovation of the J Jayalalitha Basketball Stadium, Kilpauk Garden, at an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore. It was closed for nearly 4 years after it was used for storing provisions during Covid pandemic. The renovated stadium will also have pickleball courts.
The GCC’s Parks and Playfield department floated tenders and has called for Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The proposed works include the preparation of interior 2D drawings and a 3D model for the stadium, which covers a tentative area of 25,000 square feet. Additionally, a 2D topographical site survey will be conducted for the entire site, estimated at 84,000 square feet.
The stadium will be renovated and handed over to the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), which will maintain it. Currently, the indoor stadium is with the civic body.
Renovation work includes flooring, roof repairs, and replacing rusted iron roofing. We also plan to construct 2-3 pickleball courts on campus to generate revenue. The local body will maintain these courtsSenior Corporation official
An in-charge at the site explained that since 2000, the Corporation has been maintaining the stadium, which was constructed under the sponsorship of several trusts, private and public firms. “In 2018, GCC handed over the maintenance to a private firm under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
During the pandemic in 2020, the stadium was used as a place to store provisions and other materials. Later, it was permanently closed. For over four years, the stadium court has been closed,” added the in-charge.
When I was in school, my friends and I would come to the indoor stadium for boxing and karate practice. Renovating it would help other children and the neighbourhood.S Kapil, a resident of Kilpauk,