The indoor stadium of Siliguri Municipal Corporation is all set to get a facelift.
The state sports and youth affairs department has asked the board of administrators (BoA) of Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) to prepare a detailed project report on overall revamp of the indoor stadium and will provide funds, said Gautam Deb, chairman of the BoA of SMC here on Wednesday.
Sources said on Monday, a meeting was held between Arup Biswas, the state minister for sports and youth affairs and Deb over refurbishing of the indoor stadium and the city’s Kanchenjunga Stadium.
After the meeting, Biswas told Deb to submit a DPR for complete renovation of the indoor stadium.
“We have decided to give a complete facelift to the indoor stadium here. It is dilapidated. The newly renovated stadium will have proper facilities for indoor games like table tennis, basketball. We will also try to facilitate badminton here. There will be a multi-gym and a sports hostel for players in the annexe building of the indoor sports arena. The decision was taken at a meeting with state sports minister and we are sending a DPR. The entire stadium will be air-conditioned and funds will be provided by the sports department,” Deb elaborated.
“Renovation work for Kanchenjunga Stadium will also start shortly,” he added.
Back in the 1990s, the indoor stadium was built in Deshbandhupara to accommodate 5,000 spectators, and has since hosted many prestigious events such as the senior national table-tennis championship and invitation tennis tournament.
In the past few years, it is mostly used for political programmes or cultural events.
“Its repair is imminent. Also, it is necessary to have the stadium air-conditioned with more facilities. A proper facelift will help it host major indoor sports events,” said a sports lover of the city.