The sports fraternity in the district has cause for cheer as the construction of a multi-purpose indoor stadium here has been completed.
The facility has been established at a cost of around ₹3 crore, with funding from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and the district administration, at the Bharat Ratna Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M. G. R. Sports Complex in the District Collectorate Master Complex.
The indoor stadium has a play area measuring 52 meters in length and 34 meters in width, with wooden flooring to the extent of 40 x 20 meters.
The indoor facility gets natural light through the windows and transparent sheets interspersed in the roofing. Exhaust fans have been provided to regulate the indoor temperature. As many as 24 LED lamps provide artificial illumination.
A synthetic surface runs around the wooden floor space for athletes to practice. This is a stand out feature for an indoor stadium, officials said.
“It is important for athletes to practice on synthetic track to shine at higher levels. Athletes of Perambalur otherwise will have to travel to Tiruchi for practice on such a facility. The district administration considered the need in right earnest and got the synthetic surface created inside the indoor stadium,” said M. Rama Subramaniaraja, District Sports and Youth Welfare Officer.
The available space has been optimally utilised and permanent seating arrangements have been provided to accommodate around 200 spectators. The stadium can host a range of sports including basketball, volleyball, handball, kabaddi, and taekwondo. Dressing rooms for sports persons and office space forms part of the indoor stadium.
The already existing facilities in the 10-acre complex include synthetic tennis court with flood lights, swimming pool, an indoor stadium that houses two badminton courts, 400 m athletic track, basketball, volleyball and beach volleyball courts, an air-conditioned modern gymnasium, and walking track. It also has a sports hostel that accommodates 60 girls.
At present solar panels generate power for the swimming pool and it will soon be extended to the multi-purpose indoor stadium and the indoor badminton facility. Besides, the District Collectorate Master Complex has a skating rink and a cricket ground is being established by the district administration. Collector V. Santha inspected the multi-purpose indoor stadium recently.