Sri Lanka’s Newest International track comes up in Kurunegala
Sri Lanka’s third international sports complex in Maligapitiya is nearing completion in Kurunegala amidst the corona virus pandemic. The ground is located adjacent to the Welagedara Cricket Stadium at a beautiful location in the area of the Urban Council of Kurunegala.
Maligapitiya will be the third venue for athletics in Sri Lanka after the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Diyagama, Homagama, which has not been completed to international standards yet.
The Maligapitiya International Sports Complex is being constructed under a two-phased project and the initial stage has been already completed. This includes the pavilion and stands with the floodlight system. The floodlight system has already been installed and tested successfully. This venue will be the second in the country after the Sugathadasa Stadium.
The total amount allocated for the construction of the pavilion is Rs 700 million. It includes seating capacity for 2,500 spectators, a big shopping mall with 35 outlets and an open sky rooftop cafeteria with the view of the picturesque rock city of Kurunegala.
After its completion, Maligapitiya will be Sri Lanka’s main international sports complex to have facilities for players with international standard changing rooms and ice bath tub facilities. The construction of the 400 metre eight-lane synthetic track will be the second phase of the project. This phase is estimated to cost Rs 400 million.
In addition, the main stand also comes under the second phase, which is expected to include a four-storeyed shopping mall facing the Dambulla main road. A short course swimming pool is expected to come up in the third floor of the pavilion, which will include a VIP viewing area as well.
The ground and the synthetic track will be the main areas for athletics competition. The turf in the centre will include a mechanical sprinkler perforated pipe system and a concrete drainage system. The total cost for this construction is estimated separately at Rs 60 million. The ground also consists of four pillars for the floodlights, with each light pillar consisting 25-watts bulbs with power between 500-700 lakhs.
The stadium will be run by the Kurunegala Municipal Council under a separately assigned management and the council expects to spend nearly Rs 1.2 million monthly as maintenance cost after completion of the whole project.
After completion of this mega project, Kurunegala will be one of the main sport hubs in the country. The construction is managed by Kurunegala Municipal Engineering Department headed its Chief Municipal Engineer Chaminda Adhikari.
“We expect to complete the first phase by the end of this year. And with the grant of Rs 40 million from the Sports Ministry, we hope to the complete the stadium by the next year,” said Adhikari.
The construction is a brainchild of newly appointed Mayor of Kurunegala Municipal Council Thushara Sanjeewa in 2018. The investment is estimated at approximately Rs one billion aiming to boost Sri Lanka sports with Maligapitiya as the main hub in the North Western Province.
Sajeewa Jayakody (Sunday Times)
