Places to play in Kolkata, West Bengal

[travoltarulez]

There have been some threads in this section, by people looking for a place to play Badminton in Kolkata. What I will attempt to do here is list down all the places where you have badminton courts and can go and play.<br>
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<u><strong>1. Sports Authority of India, Kolkata complex<br>
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The huge, sprawling SAI complex is located right next to Salt Lake stadium, on Eastern Metropolitan Byepass. It has top-grade facilities for almost all sports, meant for professional and trainee athletes. As a money-making scheme, all these facilites are let out on "pay and play" schemes to casual players.<br>
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The badminton complex is one of the best in Kolkata. 5 wooden courts housed inside a huge complex, with adequate lighting. There is enough adjacent space to relax between games or for an audience. A gymnasium is housed within the same building, so you can warm up at the gym before hitting the courts.<br><br>Pay and play times are between 7 to 10 in the morning, and 6 to 9 in the evening. One needs to bring his own equipment, nothing is provided by SAI even for a price.<br><br>You need to take an annual membership to play. I don't have the latest rates, as I didn't renew my membership after 2009. The rates then were as follows:<br><br>1. Single player (only badminton) - Rs 4000 per annum<br>2. Single player (badminton and gym) - Rs 6000 per annum<br>3. Married couple (only badminton) - Rs 7000 per annum<br>4. Married couple (badminton and gym) - Rs 11000 per annum<br><br>Just one major downside, and the reason why I didn't renew my membership<img src="images/smilies/mad.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Mad" smilieid="9" class="inlineimg">. My office timings necessitated that I could play only in the morning and had to leave by 8.30.&nbsp;A group of almost 20 guys came regularly, occupied all the courts and played till 9. They were known to each other and thick as thieves. As a result I would have to stand for hours trying to get a game in between. Even when I got one it was doubles. You could say I left out of frustration!<br><br>The situation in the evening might be better. You will just have to go and check it out.

(To be continued)

[travoltarulez]

YMCA Esplanade

Unknown to many, the YMCA building in Esplanade houses a very good indoor badminton facility. Membership rates are dirt cheap (some Rs 3200 per year) and you can play the whole day, whenever you have time. The locational advantage (Esplanade being the de-facto centre of the city) and the cheap membership sees a good number of office people as members - who come down in the evening for a game.

There's another hidden advantage. The Eastern India Distributor of Yonex is housed in another part of this very building. Genuine Yonex goods at upto 40pct off on retail prices.

Ballygunge Durgabari

This facility in Ballygunge Place, South Kolkata houses 2 indoor badminton courts and good lighting. A lot of state level tournaments are held here. I used to play here more than a decade back, and won't have any idea of their current rates.

(In the next post I'll talk about some social clubs in Kolkata which house good badminton facilities)

[travoltarulez]

The following are a few social clubs in the city which also offer Badminton facilities. Obviously you need to be a member, or be a member's guest in order to go and play in these places. Charges are usually very nominal.

Calcutta Club

Calcutta Club is located right in the center of the city, at Exide Crossing. A very well known social club, it has a sports complex with a dedicated badminton court. You're welcome to bring your own kit, else the club will provide you with racquets and shuttles, even bottled water. Though just one court, facilities are top notch.

My father is a member, so I've had experience playing here. A diverse crowd comes to play, and its good chitchat beside the game itself.

Hindustan Club

Another club located in the city center. Hosting a younger crowd than Calcutta Club, this one is a buzz of sporting activity. The badminton courts are top notch, though the number of regular members is higher, so you might have to stand to get your chance.

Space Circle

Space Circle is in the North-eastern part of the city, very close to Kolkata airport. It offers facilities for multiple games, including badminton. One has to carry their own kit, and again the high number of regular members means you have to wait a bit before you get your chance.

Dalhousie Institute Club

DI Club is located in South Kolkata, near Ice Skating Rink. It has 2 badminton courts. Sadly, the facilities are open only to members and even guests are not allowed. Members are required to bring their own kit.

Club Verde Vista

CVV is the new kid on the block. Its a fantastic, well-designed club that's come up in the southern part of the city (close to Peerless hospital Mukundpur) as an annexe to a high end residential complex. It houses a very good indoor court - with the most futuristic lighting I've ever seen in a badminton court. Members play free, while guest charges are 75 bucks an hour. You get to book the court for an hour, so no waiting around, no one else breathing down your neck.

My regular playing partner is a member here, so this is the court where we play the most.

[Deepakganesan]

any indoor badminton courts at v.i.p road / kestopur / salt lake. I am new to Kolkata and would luv to continue playing.

[travoltarulez]

any indoor badminton courts at v.i.p road / kestopur / salt lake. I am new to Kolkata and would luv to continue playing.

SAI is in Salt Lake. Space circle is on VIP Road. I've written about both (see above). Though excellent in terms of facilities, the huge crowd means you have to wait a long time for your turn.

Where in Kolkata are you located? Give me a buzz (PM) and we may be able to work out some less crowded playing options.

[Deepakganesan]

HI
Thanks for your reply, I have got a house atDiamond City North, 68 Jessore Road, Kolkata, Pin Code - 700 055.

[arunava]

any clubs in tollygunge or jadavpur??

[Karthik.kds]

Hi firends, I am new to Kolkata and i am staying in rajdanga main rd near ruby hospital. Please can u tell me where i can play Badminton (indoor or outdoor) with atleast amateur(level 4) players....Even its a bit distant from my place..i m okay

[snbdebasish]

If there are any type of badminton tournament held in saltlake(Single,Doubles,Mixed doubles), Please let me known.I am interested to play the tournaments. My email adress is "snbdebasish@gmail.com" my ph. no. is 8926050140. I live in S.N.BOSE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR BASIC SCIENCES
BLOCK-JD,SEC-III,SALTLAKE,KOLKATA-700098,Near youva varti stadium.

[Rounak Sidhanta]

can u give the exact address of YMCA esplande and its contact number.

[nevan]

can u tell me where's the hindustan club??? city centre 1 or 2??