The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), which has completed the tendering process, is all set to start the construction on building the Olympic Academy at Elandapatti on the outskirts of Tiruchi.
The academy will come up on 47 acres of land, which has been handed over to SDAT. The project will be implemented in two phases at an estimate of ₹150 crore. The first phase will cost ₹50 crore. The SDAT recently called for tenders for the project. After processing the tender documents, according to sources, the SDAT has issued work order to a contractor.
Upon receiving the work order, the contractor visited the work site at Elandapatti on Tuesday. A team of workers has been employed to clear the bushes to start the construction work. It is learnt that the foundation stone, as a mark of beginning the construction work, will be laid on Thursday or Friday.
A football field, a 400-metre track, a track and field arena, changing rooms, sanitation complex, and players lounge were among the components of the Olympic Academy phase 1.
Racquet sports such as tennis, badminton, ball badminton, and table tennis will feature in phase-I. The academy will have facilities for a swimming pool and hockey ground. Similarly, since it is primarily an academy for talented and upcoming athletes, a provision has been made to create student hostels, gym, and others.
Apart from the sports infrastructure, academic, and administrative blocks will be established. The project will be completed within 18 months from the issue of work order.
To oversee the construction work, the SDAT has appointed a consultant for the Olympic Academy. He has been tasked to check whether the facilities being created are meeting the standards.
