A happy surprise for youngsters

Islamabad

Deprived from even satisfactory outdoor gaming facilities in public parks for long, the latest initiative to renovate parks and play grounds in capital Islamabad is no less a happy surprise for the young. A welcome relief indeed!

Recently Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz inaugurated the first of such multipurpose facilities in Sector F-8/1, which has been renovated through public private partnership. A dilapidated ground turned around into a modern multipurpose outdoor gaming facility and public park. From the newly planted grass and plants to the courts and fences everything in the ground and park has been carried out aesthetically. Interestingly, the whole makeover/uplift of the facility has been completed in just 40 days from the day of its hand over.

The company, Sukh Chayn Valley, will take care of the facility and bear all the running and maintenance expenses for three years. It is also providing watch and ward facility for the agreed period. "We have completed this public park and playground in a record time. We also plan to renovate another park and playground in Islamabad under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme with an aim to provide the residents especially youth of Islamabad with such modern facilities," Shujaat Azeem, former adviser to prime minister and head of the company told ‘The News’.

Shujaat Azeem especially emphasised other entities to come forward for such initiatives. Asked what the motivation behind such move was by his company, he said over the years he had observed utter lack of such facilities for the youth. "So it compelled him to take such a step when the mayor asked for it as the city government or the CDA were not able to carry out these projects on their own due to lack of funds at their disposal".

A visit to the park by this scribe recently was interesting as one could see youth thronging the place in the summer evening. Many of them were foreign national Chinese living nearby. They have come to this country to work on various projects. Overall this is an open facility for general public, and residents of the area were especially joyful and happily surprised with the new facility. "My kid loves to play here now, and the whole family takes a walk on the beautiful track provided for the purpose," Aliya Shah, a resident of the area said. Under this programme no company will be allowed to carry out any commercial activity in its designated park, play ground. Indeed, it was a wonderful sight to see addition of modern mini football field to the park and a renovated basketball court. Additionally, the company has done a complete makeover of cricket practice nets with lighting facility in accordance with industry best practices.

A walking/jogging track has also been added, and the same has been illuminated with LED lights erected along the track. Floodlights have also been added along the designated sports area to enable round the clock serviceability of the facility at night as well. Another important feature of the facility is provision of basic amenities such as clean and safe drinking water along with water bore to service the newly established washrooms. New washrooms for women and men have also been provided 24/7 security personnel to ensure a family friendly environment. Mounted exercise equipment to facilitate open air workout has also been provided in the ground. Landscaping including levelling and extensive tree plantation has been done. Aesthetic uplifting including repainting and strategic placement of fences, benches and waste bins has also been carried out.