Lucknow: Lucknow Development Authority has set user fees and timings for activities including skating, lawn tennis, badminton, pickleball and box cricket in the sports hub ‘Oxygen Sports Arena’ built at a cost of Rs 7 crore at Gate number 3 of the Lohia Park in Gomti Nagar.LDA vice-chairperson Prathamesh Kumar said the site earlier had an artificial water body that depended on groundwater, leading to wastage and it raised concerns over mosquito-breeding and waterborne diseases. The area has now been redeveloped for sports use.According to officials, the skating rink, largest in the state, has been built over about 4,000 sqm, while another 4,500 sqm has been allocated for other sports. The authority claims this is the first dedicated skate park in Lucknow.LDA horticulture officer S K Bharti said fees for pickleball, lawn tennis, badminton and box cricket have been fixed per team; while skating charges will be levied per player on a monthly basis. Skating instructors will be available for children, but no coaching is planned for other sports.Charges have been fixed at Rs 400 per hour for pickleball and lawn tennis, Rs 200 per hour for badminton and Rs 600 per hour for box cricket. These facilities will operate from 6am to 8pm, except box cricket, which will be open from 10am to 8pm.Skating will cost Rs 1,500 per month, along with a one-time registration fee of Rs 100.Horticulture superintendent Mohammad Imran said visitors coming to the sports arena will not have to pay the general park entry fee; they will only be charged for the facility they use.
