KUALA LUMPUR: The Bangsar Sports Complex is located right in the heart of Bangsar Baru or the "new" Bangsar. Yet, nothing about the complex bears any resemblance to anything "new".
The 30-year-old sports complex, which serves some 1,600 households in Bangsar Baru and other visitors, needs a "complete upgrade", residents said.
Gym-goers said the facilities left a lot to be desired and needed a complete makeover as its old iron bars and few weightlifting equipment barely serves 10 people at any given time.
"There are only a few basic equipment. A lot of the main fitness equipments are missing," said Azari Ahmad, who has frequented community gyms for the past 16 years.
He added the Bangsar Baru gym doesn't cater to women either.
"If a woman is brave enough, maybe she would enter. But there are no separate sections. Mostly, it's only guys here," he said.
Bangsar Baru Residents Association chairman Datuk George Joseph said it was high time City Hall upgraded the sport complex.
"It's not a question of replacing this or that. The place is in need of a complete upgrade, especially the gym. Some of the equipment here is as old at this complex and could be dangerous.
"Both the gym and the futsal court at the complex are frequented due to their cheap rates, with the gym having a cover charge of only RM2 per entry," he said.
But like the gym, the futsal court's fencing had been left to age, with gaping holes making it easy for balls to roll out of the field area.
"These are not things you build as a one-off thing. They need constant maintenance. The question is, where is the maintenance?"
Another area of concern, Joseph said, was a pavilion located at the side of the complex building.
"This pavilion serves no purpose. People bring their girlfriends here at night and some even drink. It's all used for immoral activities," he said.
Even the children's playground neighbouring the complex has not been spared and is sometimes used by irresponsible parties as a drinking spot.
When The Malay Mail visited the playground one afternoon, a group of individuals with beer cans were seen drinking at the open space.
For Joseph, upgrading the complex was something the authorities needed to prioritise. "I was previously told City Hall had to wait until its next budget to revamp this place."
In December, City Hall had revealed nine per cent of their RM2.3 billion 2012 budget would be used for maintenance of parks, open spaces and recreational facilities in the city.
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