New Delhi – Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has laid the foundation stone for a groundbreaking Delhi ice rink in Dwarka Sector 23, marking a historic milestone for winter sports development in the national capital. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is developing this ambitious project as the city’s first international-standard ice skating facility, designed to elevate India’s participation in global winter sports competitions.
The Delhi ice rink represents a significant investment in sports infrastructure, built under a public-private partnership model that ensures sustainable development and long-term operational efficiency. This state-of-the-art facility is positioned to transform Delhi’s sports landscape and provide world-class training opportunities for aspiring winter sports athletes.
Comprehensive Facility Design and Specifications
The Delhi ice rink will span an impressive 4,200 square meters, featuring an Olympic-size rink measuring 60 meters by 30 meters. This substantial facility will accommodate multiple winter sports disciplines including ice skating, figure skating, ice hockey, and curling, providing versatility for both recreational users and professional athletes.
According to Ruhee Dugg, commissioner sports at DDA, the Delhi ice rink will serve dual purposes as both a center of excellence for athlete training and a public recreational facility. The ambitious timeline aims for completion within 9 to 10 months, demonstrating the project’s priority status within Delhi’s sports development agenda.
The Delhi ice rink complex will house additional amenities including food and beverage outlets, a specialized rehabilitation room for athletes, and retail shops selling sports equipment. These complementary facilities will create a comprehensive sports ecosystem supporting both competitive training and community engagement.
Strategic Location and Connectivity Advantages
The Delhi ice rink benefits from exceptional connectivity due to its strategic location in Dwarka Sector 23. The facility enjoys proximity to major transportation infrastructure including the Urban Extension Road (UER), Dwarka Expressway, and the airport tunnel connecting Dwarka Sector 21 with Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport.
This prime location ensures that the Delhi ice rink will be easily accessible to athletes, coaches, and visitors from across the National Capital Region. The excellent connectivity will facilitate participation in training programs and competitions while supporting the facility’s commercial viability through increased footfall.
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Winter Sports Development and International Competitiveness
LG Saxena emphasized that the Delhi ice rink will open new avenues for strengthening India’s presence in global winter sports competitions. The facility will provide year-round access to Olympic-standard training conditions, enabling aspiring athletes to develop skills comparable to international standards.
The Delhi ice rink is specifically designed to enhance Indian athletes’ competitiveness at prestigious global platforms including the Winter Olympic Games and Asian Winter Games. This investment addresses a critical gap in India’s sports infrastructure, where limited access to quality winter sports facilities has historically hindered athletic development.
The center of excellence component of the Delhi ice rink will focus on systematic athlete development through professional coaching, advanced training methodologies, and performance analysis systems. This comprehensive approach aims to identify and nurture talent capable of representing India at international competitions.
Public-Private Partnership Model Implementation
The Delhi ice rink project utilizes an innovative PPP model that balances public infrastructure development with private sector efficiency. The DDA has awarded the project to an agency selected through competitive bidding, ensuring transparency and value for money in project execution.
Under this arrangement, the selected agency will be responsible for both constructing the Delhi ice rink and operating it for 15 years on a license fee basis. This model ensures sustainable operations while maintaining public access to the facility.
The PPP approach for the Delhi ice rink demonstrates Delhi government’s commitment to leveraging private sector expertise while maintaining public oversight of essential sports infrastructure development.
Integration with Existing Sports Infrastructure
The Delhi ice rink will complement the DDA’s existing portfolio of sports facilities, which currently includes 18 sports complexes, four mini sports complexes, and three golf courses across Delhi. This addition will significantly strengthen the city’s comprehensive sports infrastructure network.
A senior DDA official confirmed that the Delhi ice rink represents the latest addition to Delhi’s expanding sports ecosystem, designed to cater to diverse athletic interests and promote inclusive sports participation across all age groups and skill levels.
High-Profile Foundation Ceremony
The Delhi ice rink foundation ceremony was attended by several distinguished dignitaries including Member of Parliament from West Delhi Kamaljeet Sehrawat, MLA from Matiala Sandeep Sehrawat, and Vice Chairman DDA N. Saravana Kumar, along with other senior DDA officials.
This high-profile attendance at the Delhi ice rink foundation ceremony underscores the project’s significance for Delhi’s sports development strategy and demonstrates strong political support for winter sports infrastructure investment in the national capital.
