Mumbai's biggest swimming pool re-opens in Shivaji Park after a year

It was open sesame, or open swimming pool for swimmers who thronged the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Olympic (MGMO) pool or Shivaji Park swimming pool as it is known locally, yesterday morning.

Swimmers in the re-opened pool at Dadar Shivaji Park, yesterday morning, test the waters and say they are fine. Pics/Bipin Kkokate

The public pool - Mumbai's biggest and one of its oldest - re-opened after one year. "We hope this is for keeps," said happy swimmers, refreshed after their Sunday morning swim.

People near the entrance of the pool complex

Polio-afflicted Manoj Khaire stated, "I put on weight at home in the interim period, my polio affected right leg was swollen, I hope all those problems are a thing of the past now." Even as he spoke, Jinnit Gadda was bringing in his twins, five-year-olds Devanshi and Devansh, "to ask for membership forms". "I am so happy this pool has opened, they can learn swimming here now," said the Wadala resident.

Activity near the complex, which had been quiet for one year

Chembur's Bharti Rane said she felt "free, light and energetic" after her swim, while member Yogesh Ukidava laughed, "I swam today after a year, regulars at the pool told me I had put on weight. Now, it is time to burn calories and lose the kilos. They should not stop ever again."

A game of volleyball on with more gusto, adjacent to the pool

Young mother Prafulata Narkar was ushering her daughters Shruti and Juhi home, after a swim. "It has been such a good day, after a year," she said.

Rachel Fernandes and Cheryl Fernandes, two young women who share the same surnames, but are not related, said, "The pool is convenient, it is feasible and it is hygienic, that is why we were waiting for the pool to re-open, though we tried other pools." Then the latter squealed, "and I put on 20 kgs in the interim," as they started laughing.

For Prakash Vaidya, who has been accessing the pool for five decades, "It is picnic time, hurrah, we have our pool back. We are thankful to the Kamgar pool near Elphinstone Bridge which accommodated us through one year, but, today, we have our ‘resort' back."

Meanwhile, a swimmer scoffed, "They expect Olympic medals and keep Olympic facilities closed for one year for no apparent reason." However, he seemed to be the only unhappy party in this happy gathering.

Selling swimwear
The excitement was not limited to the waters of the swimming pool. We saw a car-like mobile store displaying swim wear parked outside the gates.

This mobile swimming store is owned by Akshay Ansurkar, who said, "I sell swim gear outside other swimming pools too at much more cost effective rates," he added.

Dinesh Hegde, who had led a signature campaign against the closure, warned that vigilance was key against any repeat action.

But it was not vigilance, rather volleyball for a local swimming pool members team, who were playing a game with gusto near the pool. The mostly over 40s, displayed a sting in their spiking, "Thanks to the re-opening of the pool, we are playing with even more enthusiasm," signed off Tarun Bhansali.

Dry days and some history
>> Pool was dry since August 2015.
>> It is a complex with a 10-lane Olympic-size swimming pool.
>> Has neighbouring cluster of three pools, deep pool for diving, recreational pool and shallow pool for kids.
>> Old pool revamped into swank, new facility five years ago.
>> Has spectators' gallery which can seat 600 persons.
>> When the refurbished facility opened in 2011, queues snaked around at the Shivaji Park complex, with many lining up all night for a membership.