Coimbatore Corporation Advances Civic Infrastructure with New Public Swimming Pool and AR/VR Labs
In a significant move to boost public amenities and educational technology, the Coimbatore city corporation on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a new public swimming pool in ward 83 at VOC Park. Simultaneously, the corporation inaugurated three state-of-the-art augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) labs, each constructed at a cost of Rs83 lakh, in corporation schools located at Peelamedu, Ranganathapuram, and Ramakrishnapuram.
Public Swimming Pool Project Details and Safety Features
The public swimming pool project, which received administrative sanction from the state government on January 22, is set to be developed at an estimated cost of Rs1.94 crore. Work orders for this ambitious initiative were officially issued on Saturday, marking the commencement of construction activities. According to a corporation official, the project will be executed in two distinct phases to ensure efficient implementation and quality control.
Phase one of the project, budgeted at Rs95 lakh, will focus on the core swimming pool infrastructure. This includes:
- Construction of the main swimming pool structure
- Development of separate toilet and bathing facilities
- Installation of dedicated dress changing rooms for men and women
- Establishment of water storage and treatment tanks
Phase two, with an allocation of Rs83 lakh, will address essential supporting infrastructure:
- Creation of adequate parking facilities
- Improvement of road access and connectivity
- Development of surrounding landscape and public spaces
Enhanced Safety Measures and Visitor Capacity
The swimming pool facility has been designed with multiple safety features to ensure a secure environment for all visitors. The corporation official emphasized that the pool will be equipped with comprehensive CCTV surveillance systems and a dedicated control and monitoring room. "This integrated security approach aims to safeguard visitors both within the pool area and across the entire premises," the official stated.
From a design perspective, the pool depth has been carefully planned to range between 1.2 and 1.8 meters, prioritizing public safety while accommodating different swimming abilities. The facility will measure 25 meters in length and 13.5 meters in width, featuring a specially designated shallow area for children's use.
In terms of capacity, the swimming pool is expected to serve approximately 500 visitors daily through a rotational access system. "We plan to allow up to 50 people per hour to ensure comfortable usage and proper maintenance," the official explained. The accompanying parking infrastructure will accommodate 50 motorcycles and 25 cars, addressing potential congestion concerns.
Educational Technology Enhancement Through AR/VR Labs
Parallel to the swimming pool development, the corporation's inauguration of three AR/VR labs represents a substantial investment in modern educational infrastructure. Each lab, built at a cost of Rs83 lakh, will provide students in corporation schools at Peelamedu, Ranganathapuram, and Ramakrishnapuram with immersive learning experiences through cutting-edge technology.
These labs are expected to transform traditional classroom environments by enabling interactive and engaging educational content across various subjects. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance digital literacy and technological proficiency among school students in Coimbatore.
Background and Future Implications
The public swimming pool project follows earlier corporation proposals for two large swimming facilities—one intended for general public use and another designed specifically for athletes. The current project focuses exclusively on the public amenity, reflecting the corporation's commitment to expanding recreational infrastructure for Coimbatore residents.
This dual initiative combining recreational and educational infrastructure development demonstrates the city corporation's holistic approach to urban improvement. By addressing both quality-of-life amenities through the swimming pool and educational advancement through technology labs, Coimbatore continues to strengthen its position as a forward-looking urban center in Tamil Nadu.
The projects are expected to be completed within stipulated timelines, with regular monitoring by corporation officials to ensure adherence to quality standards and budgetary parameters.
