Mangaluru: St. Aloysius College inaugurated the much awaited Swimming Pool of Olympic standards, on 19 December at the Swimming Pool Complex in the Campus grounds. A project of the UGC, St. Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA) and MJES (Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society), this swimming pool has been the talk of town recently.
The pool equipped with state-of-the-art features and facilities was inaugurated by the National level swimming athletes of St. Aloysius Institutions, flagged by State Minister of Food and Civic Supplies U T Khader. Terence D’Sa, Alumnus of the 1964 batch flagged little swimmers to inaugurate the baby pool.
The dignitaries on the dais celebrated the opening of the pool, by releasing balloons into the sky. The swimming pool complex was later inaugurated by Khader, along with the other dignitaries with the symbolic cutting of the ribbon.
Khadar addressed the gathering and said, “If you strengthen the education system, you can strengthen the country” and reminisced on his days spent in the institution. He said, “South Canara is today, an education haven because St. Aloysius Institution has contributed to this field from generations”. He also mentioned that St. Aloysius College has contributed so much to the educational field that wherever a person goes, he/she is sure to find an Aloysian.
J R Lobo, Mangaluru North MLA, in his speech said that an institution of excellence will be called an institution of excellence only when the last student can unfurl their talents. “This institution will go a long way to generate national and international swimmers in the future”, he said. He put in that the students of this institution have made their name all over the world.
Chief Whip of Karnataka Legislative Council, Ivan D’Souza asserted that India is lacking basic infrastructure in the sports field and providing students with these facilities will help nurture their athletic talents and ensure their eligibility as well as participation in several International and Olympic games. He stated that commitment and strong will power are two important driving forces in achieving success.
Former Minister of Sports, Abhayachandra Jain said that he would appeal to the state government to help this pool with a special grant of Rs. 25 lakh for maintenance costs.
J Alexander, member of College Governing Body proclaimed that any Mangalorean cannot forget the contribution made by St. Aloysius College to this part of South Canara. Praising the efforts of MJES he said, “The swimming pool is the fulfilment of the collective dream of the Jesuits”. He also said that it is not just marks but overall development of the student that is required for excellence.
Rev Dr. Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza SJ, Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province, presided over the function and also conducted a prayer session to invoke blessings upon the swimming pool and it’s complex.
Capt. Ganesh Karnik, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council; Rev. Fr. Dionysius Vaz SJ, the Rector of St. Aloysius Institutions; Henry D’Souza, the Bishop of Bellary; Terence D’sa, Alumnus of the 1964 batch; Archibald Menezes, the President of SACAA; N G Mohan, Chairman of the Pool Committee; Rev Fr. Swebert D’Silva SJ, the Principal of St. Aloysius College also graced the occasion with their presence.
About 600 students, teachers and alumni members of St. Aloysius College were also present at the inauguration along with the sponsors for the pool. Representatives from various structural departments responsible for building the pool were honoured on the occasion.
The College has opened up the facility to the general public on a membership basis. There are a number of sessions and varying membership rates to suit all (please see below).
About the St Aloysius College Swimming Pool:
St. Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA) along with the Grants sanctioned by the UGC helped fund the construction process of this pool which came up to an estimated cost of 8 crores.
St Aloysius College’s new pool, the first of its kind in the region, of Olympic standards, will be able to host major events that require national or international standards. The pool, which is 50 meters long and 25 meters wide with a baby pool and other necessary infrastructure is suited to host major national and international aquatic events and is a first of its kind in the region.
Very little chlorination is required for this pool as it is equipped with ozone filter process. The pool complex also has a gymnasium and changing rooms of course.
