Four pools boost swimming culture in Gadag-Betgeri in summer

Gadag: The Gadag-Betgeri is probably the only city in the state with four swimming pools maintained by the department of youth empowerment and sports (DYES). With the department introducing coaching camps and concessional passes for regular visitors, thousands of swimmers, including children and women, are making extensive use of the facilities.Sharanu Gogeri, assistant director, DYES, Gadag, told TOI that all four swimming pools—KH Patil District Stadium's Swimming Pool, Nandishwar Nagar Swimming Pool, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar Swami Vivekanand Swimming Pool, and Vasantsingh Jamadar Nagar Swimming Pool—were constructed by Gadag-Betgeri City Municipal Council and were handed over to DYES a few years ago. "Since we have kept a nominal fee of Rs 50 for 45 minutes and maintaining them with all standard operation procedures, people are turning in crowd. We are witnessing about 400 swimmers from Monday to Fridays, about 600 people on Saturdays, and about 1,000 on Sundays in April and May. For regular swimmers, we have kept monthly pass for Rs 1,000." he stated.He further said, "We are also conducting 21-day coaching camps for children, women and the public in separate batches at the price of Rs 3,000 per person. We have appointed qualified coaches at all pools. We have reserved evening two batches for women. Many of our swimmers are participating and bringing laurels to the city. Residents, even from neighbouring towns and villages, are also visiting the pools to escape the summer heat."Vishwanath Khanapur, president of Gadag Zilla Vikas Vedike, said that these pools have been an oasis for middle-class people. "Gadag is deprived of lakes, streams, rivers and people are depending on swimming pools. Though the fee is economic for the public, DYES should reduce it to Rs 30 for primary and high school students," he opined.Manasa Godachappanavar, a college student, recalled that they were paying over Rs 100 per 45 minutes at private pools. "We are utilising the same service at 50% fee. Only thing is the DYES should appoint female coaches for female swimmers and trainers," she opined.