Mysuru: Construction of an Olympic-size international swimming pool has finally begun at Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium in Chamarajanagar town. The project was announced in the 2025 state budget.The department of youth empowerment and sports (DYES) has taken up the project at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore after obtaining the necessary approvals. Local MLC Puttaranga Setty formally launched the work. Officials said the swimming pool is expected to be completed by the end of March next year.Efforts to establish a swimming pool in the district date back over a decade. The district administration had proposed a smaller 12×25-metre pool near the indoor stadium to promote swimming among sports enthusiasts and sent a proposal to the state govt. However, the project failed to take off and was eventually shelved due to a lack of funds and other constraints.Demand for a swimming pool grew stronger over the years, as Chamarajanagar lacked the facility even nearly 29 years after becoming a district headquarters. In response, the state govt sanctioned Rs 5.5 crore in 2025 to the DYES for the construction of the pool.Apart from the main pool, the department plans to build a smaller pool for children and a separate warm-up pool for swimmers at the same venue. The department has also recently upgraded the indoor stadium with improved facilities, including a shuttle badminton court, basketball court, fresh painting, renovated toilets and other amenities.“Though the district stadium was built two decades ago and upgraded with several facilities, many works remain incomplete. There is still no permanent solution for rainwater drainage. Water stagnation during the monsoon damages the synthetic track developed by the department. An urgent solution is needed,” said Mahesh, a sports enthusiast from Chamarajanagar.Speaking to TOI, Bindya, in charge assistant director of DYES, said construction work had commenced. “A full-fledged swimming pool with all modern facilities will be ready by next March. The department will also initiate steps to appoint a coach and other staff as the project progresses,” she said.
