7-storey fun tower at Bhavanipuram

VIJAYAWADA: The city is set to get a major recreation centre to enable people to spend their weekends and holidays in a leisurely fashion as the Vijayawada Guntur Tenali Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority (VGTM- UDA) has decided to construct Vijaya Siri riverfront in 10 acres of land on the banks of the Krishna at Bhavanipuram.Speaking to newsmen on Monday, VGTM-UDA vice-chairman GSRKR Vijay Kumar said Vijayawada did not have any major recreation centre unlike Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. Hence, it was decided to construct Vijaya Siri recreation centre with all leisure facilities at an estimated cost of  `36 crore. The 10 acre recreation centre will be divided into five zones, including eatery zone, recreation zone, water sports zone, beach zone and green zone.The VGTM-UDA will approach the Union Tourism Ministry seeking financial assistance for the project under the new tourism projects.The eatery zone will have a luxurious entrance plaza with lounges, conference halls and cloakrooms.The recreation zone is the core of Vijaya Siri project, which is a  fun-hub meant to attract youngsters. The zone includes a seven-storey tower of fun, kids gaming zone, aquarium zone, bowling alley and banquet hall.The seven-storey fun tower will be built as an icon of the city.  There will be boat rides, tot-lot, open lush green parks, club house and open air theatre with DJ console.A floating musical fountain which is the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh, and a mini open air theatre for viewing the fountain will also come up in the zone. The water zone includes multi-level water slides and bumping cars complex.The beach zone with water front will have a look of seashore. The fifth and the last Green Zone contains serene atmosphere. There will be lush green lazy lagoons for a get-away, floating bridges and a children’s maze garden for fun in the greens.Of the total cost of the project, `12 crore will be earmarked for the recreation tower and Rs 6 crore for parking tower. The remaining `18 crore will be spent on other zones. Some people on the riverside have agreed to donate 10 acres of land to VGTM- UDA for Vijaya Siri, the vice-chairman said.