Sports Complex set to Open Its Doors by End of 2024

Hubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Limited (HDSCL) has revised the completion timeline for the integrated sports complex with international standards in Lohia Nagar.
The project, which began construction in April 2022 on a 15-acre plot with a budget of Rs 170 crore, was initially planned to be completed within two years. However, the authorities have granted a six-month extension to ensure satisfactory completion of the work.
Despite the extension, most of the structures are nearly complete, and based on the current progress, the project is expected to be finished by Dec 2024.
Once completed, the sports complex will provide a wide range of sports facilities built to international standards, offering a modern and well-equipped venue for athletes and sports enthusiasts. The complex will include outdoor games such as football, hockey, kho-kho, athletic tracks, tennis, and volleyball, as well as indoor games like table tennis, foosball, carrom, pool, billiards, snooker, badminton, squash, shooting, martial arts, wrestling, kabaddi, archery, skating, a swimming pool, and a training pool.
Basavaraj Dharmanti, DGM of HDSCL, stated, "The mission period is up to March and we have set a target to finish the work by December of this year. Keeping this in mind, of the total five buildings, three buildings are completely ready with all includes electricity, water, flooring and others, and of the rest two buildings, slab and sheet works are underway which will be completed in a short time."
However, Arvind Bellad, MLA of Hubballi-Dharwad West, expressed concerns about the project's readiness by Dec, noting that final works often require more time. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the building is ready before March 2025 and suggested that the complex should be operational before summer. Bellad also highlighted the need for a thorough examination of every facility before opening the complex to the public.
Moreover, Bellad mentioned ongoing discussions regarding the maintenance of the sports complex, given its international standards. He emphasised the necessity of professional care and maintenance exclusively for the complex to ensure its longevity and optimal functionality.
In this regard, the society led by DC should aim to collaborate with different academies specialising in their respective sports. By working together with these academies, the organisation seeks to utilise their expertise and resources to enhance the overall quality of the sports infrastructure. This collaborative approach will not only benefit the athletes but also guarantee the longevity and optimal condition of the facilities, he opined.