Chennai: One of the two swimming pools in the city that has been a haven for swimming aspirants, is set to become expensive as Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to increase the entry fee at the My Lady’s swimming pool.
The move has been taken after current contractor expressed his inability to run and maintain the swimming pool as the pool was damaged during Cyclone Vardah and 2017 monsoon.
“The court also banned advertisements on the walls,” a corporation official said.
The other swimming pool maintained by the Chennai Corporation is located at Marina beach.
According to the officials, the entry fee of '15 collected from the users of the swimming pool was fixed years ago. “Due to the rising maintenance cost and cut in revenue through advertisements, the civic body had decided to increase the entry fee,” the official said.
The new charges are Rs 30 for children for an hour and Rs 50 for adults. Sources said Chennai corporation has decided to cancel the current agreement with the contractor, who is maintaining the swimming pool.
“A new tender will be floated with modified norms. The potential bidder should maintain the pool for 10 years,” the official said.
Officials also said that the bidder should construct a separate swimming pool for children and gym at his own cost. "The new facilities should be handed over to the Greater Chennai Corporation after 10 years," the official said.
The civic body has also started floating tenders. “We have calculated the annual revenue from the swimming pool. Considering 50 children and 25 adults daily, the pool would earn Rs 8.25 lakh from entry fee for a year. The new tender will be based on the new calculations," the official said.
