RAWALPINDI: The cantonment board of the garrison city is planning to convert a swimming and health club – the only one of its kind in the Cantonment area – into a restaurant, ostensibly to earn more revenue. But it is remarkable that Roomi Park, which had been closed to the public for over five years over security concerns, is considered an opportune location for a public eatery by the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB).

Located on The Mall, Roomi Park is situated opposite the Military Hospital and had been shut down because it posed a security risk to military officers’ residences, located nearby.

Despite being off-limits for the general public, however, the buildings of the health club were utilised by the RCB to house the offices of its water and sanitation departments, as well as their horticulture staff.

The RCB now plans to spend a total of around Rs15 million on the park and the planned restaurant.

Roomi Park was closed over security concerns more than five years ago; RCB to spend Rs15m on facelift

Before terrorist attacks were an ever-present threat, young men and women from Rawalpindi would frequent the swimming pool here, as well as the one located in Hasan Complex on Airport Road. These options were considered more affordable than going to the Blue Lagoon or the Pearl Continental Hotel.

But with the onset of summer and the shutting down of these facilities, most young men are now heading to places such as Soan River, Khanpur Dam, Rawal Dam and the various nullahs and streams in the area. Even though swimming in reservoirs is quite dangerous, most people ignore the apprehensions.

The Roomi Park has been a victim of ‘urban development’ in the past. The original park, known for its pine trees, was reduced in size after RCB established a facilitation centre there in 2010. Almost 25 per cent of the total area of the park was utilised at greenbelts for the roads and installation of billboards.

Located opposite to the Military Hospital, this park was established in 1903 by the British army as a memorial to General Sir William Stephen Alexander Lockhart, who died in Calcutta on March 8, 1900. After the partition of Indian Sub-continent, RCB was entrusted with the park. The park was renamed as Dilkusha Park and later Roomi Park.

“Luckily this city has inherited pre-partition infrastructure from the British. However, unfortunately, the local administration is not expert enough to utilise it for the welfare of the people,” said Naeem Ahmed, a Westridge resident.

Noman Ahmed, a resident of Peshawar Road, complained that RCB had done nothing for the local residents. “We are paying taxes regularly, without getting facilities,” he said.

Sharjeel Ahmed, a resident of Saddar, claimed that the government did not just close down the swimming pool, but rather a facility for the common man. “The commercialisation of the parks is illegal and people will protest against RCB,” he said.

When contacted, RCB Cantonment Executive Officer Fahim Zafar Khan said that the board has decided to improve the condition of the park on four acre land, with a budget of Rs15 million. He said that there was no plan for the improvement or the reconstruction of the swimming pool, as the facility was stopped due to security reasons.

However, he said that the civic body will convert the present building into a restaurant. He said that the restaurant will provide recreational facilities to the people.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd , 2014