Kolkata: Finally, after a long wait, it is like a dream come true for residents of large areas of north Kolkata. The much talked about swimming pool at Deshabandhu Park is nearing completion.Once open to swimmers (likely in March), the swimming pool will host national swimming events. The 50 metre x 25 metre pool(international size swimming pool) is nearing completion. According to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials, the pool is in its last phase of work and is nearing completion.Though the construction of the pool was started eight years ago, the process of construction went at a snail's pace as the project went through prolonged period fund crunch for want of money. The cost of construction of the pool has crossed Rs 6.5 crore and is likely to touch Rs 8 crore, a KMC official said.This pool inside the Deshbandu Park is set to be the third largest pool in the city after,The pool, the third largest in the city after Hedua and Beliaghata swimming pools."This pool will have all the latest equipment for the budding swimmers," said, Sadhan Pandey, the Trinamool Congress MLA, who took up the initiative of setting up this modern swimming pool, which has the capacity to host national and international events.After inauguration of this pool, three lily pools (comparatively smaller in size), which have already been constructed at the site of the large pool will be made available for the kids. Pandey on Saturday said that efforts were on to build another warm-up pool by the site of the large pool to enable the state to hold international swimming competitions."The pool which has been under construction will be of international standard. Apart from giving a scope for the local swimmers to hone their skills, we will also hold national swimming events here," added Pandey.The Trinamool MLA has approached Bengal Olympic Association (BOA) for running the pool and holding swimming [SR1] competitions. Ace cricketer turned cricket administrator Sourav Ganguly has also been approached to be an advisor to the committee, which will be formed for day to day maintenance of the pool and selection of the budding swimmers who would use the pool against payment of a fee.Construction of swimming pools inside city parks is no longer a new concept. MLAs and councilors of the ruling party have been instrumental in setting up such pools in parks for more than a decade. The pool at Kankurgachi Park in north Kolkata has been running well with sufficient funds being pumped in by the KMC for its maintenance purpose. Another swimming pool is nearing completion in Bagbazar Park.