GANGTOK,: The much-awaited ‘Wellness Park’ initiated by Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister PS Golay at Old STNM Hospital complex, Gangtok today. He was accompanied by his wife Krishna Rai, State cabinet ministers, GMC officials and invited dignitaries.
With the aim to promote health and wellness for the citizens and encourage outdoor movement for Fit India Movement, the park will be formally open for the public from Monday, at a nominal entry fee.
Congratulating the entire team of GMC and contractors for completing the project within less than four months, the Chief Minister informed that the ‘Wellness Park’ was a long pending demand of the residents, especially senior citizens.
“After many years of the demand, the wellness park is ready and open for the public at the heart of Gangtok town. The park was constructed with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle, especially among the senior citizens. The park is dedicated to the public and it is now your responsibility to take good care of the park. There is no club culture among the senior citizens and we wanted to promote a healthy lifestyle among them,” expressed Golay.
The Wellness Park was sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 15 crore.
“The target for the completion of the project was set to four months, and the project was completed in 153 days. The contractors have given their best and I believe we have set a record of early completion,” said the Chief Minister.
Golay further highlighted other projects of the State government viz. drainage system under GMC, renovation of fitter roads and maintenance of the National Highway by the State government, electricity etc.
The CM suggested introducing new services like physiotherapy for senior citizens, life-size chess etc. in the Wellness Park.
GMC deputy mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia thanked the State government for initiating a huge project like the Wellness Park under GMC. “The park will be beneficial not just to the senior citizens, but also youth and children. We appeal to the public to take responsibility and good care of the park, which is for the Gangtokians. The project was successfully completed and we thank the State government,” she added.
Bhutia also highlighted the different projects of GMC, in and around Gangtok.
GMC chief town planner Gary Chopel presented the technical report of the Wellness Park.
“The park was established to promote health and wellness for the citizens and encourage outdoor movement for Fit India Movement. As introduced by PM@COP26, the park is in line with SDG goal no 3 (good health and wellbeing) and no. 15 (life on land) and LIFE (lifestyle for environment). Not a single tree in the property was cut down and existing trees and the natural profile of the land has been utilized. The landscape has been on the lines of ‘Cherry Park’. With zero stair approach with maximum ramps, the design is senior and children sensitive,” Chopel said.
The GMC chief town planner further informed that for phase 1, the Citizen’s Wellness Park is approx. 2 acres area.
The indoor component i.e. the park building of 7800 sqft in four floors includes a wellness café in the ground floor is designed as a small food court with special attention to healthy menu and special toilets for children. The first floor will include a Children Day-care and Mothers’ Lounge having a kids resting area, kids’ cafeteria, indoor playroom etc.
The second floor will have a Senior Citizens’ Club having a large common hall, indoor library and resting room with toilets. The third floor (road-level- main entry from Tibet Road) serves as an administrative floor i.e. security office, general office, toilets, souvenir shop etc.
The outdoor component i.e. Wellness Park of 2 acres (approx.) will have a central court built around Koi pond connecting the outdoor and indoor components of the project. The 10,000 sqft Outdoor Children playground is rubberised with EPDM sports floor for safety and hygiene of the users, a skate park (4000 sqft), ‘love’ monument designed by Pema Wangchen Lama, all-weather gym or outdoor gym, centrally located Outdoor Amphitheatre with seating for 150 people, Buddha point depicting the first sermon of Buddha to his five disciples, large green lawn for all types of recreation like yoga, running etc.
The highlight of the park is the 365 m rubberised jogging track around the park. The park also has modern toilets and drinking water facilities. It is well-connected to the existing pedestrian network and a dedicated entry from the present urban PHC is also envisaged. For safety as a priority, CCTVs, modern Access Control Systems for secure entry and GMC Park guards will monitor the park, it was informed.
Milestones
August 13, 2023: Final presentation and approval by the chief secretary
August 15, 2023: Declaration by CM during the Independence Day programme
September 7, 2023: Ground- breaking ceremony
September 18, 2023: Actual commencement of the project on ground
February 18, 2024: Inauguration of the Park.
