May 11, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

KARACHI, May 10: Karachi Gymkhana has come out with a novel idea to construct over Rs100m car parking for its members by demolishing the century old existing six tennis courts.

The general body of the club has given a go ahead to the project besides imposing a levy of Rs300 per month on members exempting 70 plus to generate adequate funds for meeting the target.According to estimated figures, Karachi Gymkhana had over 6,000 members.

When commissioned, it would accommodate approximately 200 to 250 vehicles at one time.

The problem has arisen after the law enforcement agencies declared Club Road a no parking zone aimed at avoiding any future mishaps.

Meanwhile, the tennis fraternity has strongly opposed the idea of converting tennis courts into car parking.

“Its ridiculous and waste of money of the club besides depriving tennis enthusiasts of an old venue,” Saeed Hai, secretary, Sindh Tennis Association who is member of the club since 1952 told Dawn when approached for comments on Wednesday.

He disclosed that the club had nine tennis courts but the three were demolished long ago to create a facility of swimming pool and gymnasium.

He suggested that the car parking may be built on cricket field where besides Ramzan cricket hardly any activity takes place during the whole year.

Hai asked the general body to reconsider the decision as it would be unwise to break the courts which has served a venue for numerous national and international competitions.

Another senior most member Ghayasuddin who has served as tennis secretary of the club for a long time said its not a solution to overcome just two hour parking problem between 5 to 7pm.

He proposed that either it should be built on cricket field or three back tennis courts could be utilised for the purpose.