Tsirang’s lone swimming pool in Damphu town which was constructed one and half years ago remains idle today. Unable to meet rental charges the operator left the facility toward the end of last year. The District Administration constructed the recreational facility at a cost of over Nu 4 M and outsourced its operation to the operator in September 2021.
The District Administration constructed the swimming pool to develop Tsirang as a sporting hub and to attract domestic and international tourists.
But the facility remains under lock and key. The operator told BBS that high monthly rental charge coupled with the prolonged cold climate in Damphu has affected the business.
A few youths residing in Damphu town who didn’t want to be named suggest that installing heating system would keep the facility functional throughout the year. They say doing so would also help the District Administration to generate uninterrupted income.
“In the absence of heating system, youth like myself cannot make the best use of the swimming pool here in Damphu during winter. This is because the climate here in Damphu is very harsh especially during the winter,” said one of the youth in Damphu town.
“We are immensely benefited by the facility during the summer. Similarly, it would serve the purpose during the winter if it has a heating system. It will be a win-win situation because the District Administration will also be able to generate monthly income through the rent,” added another young resident of the town.
But the District Administration doesn’t have a plan to install heating system, at least for now. The district’s Officiating Procurement Officer Tshering Tenzin said equipping the facility with heating would escalate the monthly rental charge.
“The previous operator had a tough time paying monthly rent. And if we install heating system and roofing, we will have to increase the rent. In such case, we are skeptical whether the new operators will able to pay rent or not,” said the Officiating Procurement Officer.
The Tsirang Dzongkhag Tshogdu’s Chairperson Beda Moni Chamlagai said installing heating system is genuine. The Chairperson feels it deserves a deliberation in the upcoming Dzongkhag Tshogdu sitting.
“As we have already constructed and it is like a common infrastructure to all people of Tsirang as well as to the visitors. Therefore, I think that we have to support and in the future I feel installing heating system is quite genuine otherwise the infrastructure wouldn’t benefit the public,” said the Chairperson.
Meanwhile, the District Administration has already developed a new ‘Terms of Reference’ to outsource the facility’s operation once again. The office is planning to float the tender in the coming days. The monthly rental charge has also been reduced with the revision of the TOR.
“Earlier, the rental charge was Nu 40,000 per month and the now it will be around Nu 20,000 to Nu 25,000 per month,” said the Officiating Procurement Officer.
Residents of Damphu town say the town experiences prolonged cold winter as it is located at a higher elevation. The cold season in the town usually starts from October and goes till the mid of May.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Phub Gyem