The North Port Marina Sports Center in Busan has quickly become a popular urban recreational space, attracting an average of over 400 visitors daily since its reopening.
According to the Busan Port Authority (BPA), the sports center underwent significant renovations, including repairs to the swimming pool and diving pool tiles, complete locker replacements, and water changes in the tanks, before reopening on August 24 after a month-long maintenance period that began on July 27. The facility is currently operated by the Busan City Sports Council.
Since reopening, the number of visitors has doubled compared to before the closure. The daily attendance, which was less than 200 prior to the closure, surged to over 400 after regular classes commenced. The morning sessions are actively hosting a survival swimming program for elementary students, while the remaining time slots are mostly filled with regular swimming lessons.
Public response to the regular classes has been overwhelmingly positive. The BPA offered eight time slots for classes accommodating 360 participants, all of which filled up immediately upon registration. Many time slots reached capacity within 10 to 15 minutes of opening.
The fee for adult swimming pool access is set at 3,600 won, while the monthly fee for regular classes is 66,000 won, maintaining a reasonable price point. Additional programs, such as aqua aerobics, are also being considered for future implementation. Last year, the total number of users reached approximately 73,000, including over 53,000 for the general swimming pool and around 20,000 for the diving pool, and this year is expected to see even more visitors.
As visitor numbers increase, operating hours have been significantly extended. The previous hours of 9 AM to 6 PM have been expanded to 6 AM to 9 PM, and staffing has increased from 26 to over 35 to ensure more stable service.
The BPA is committed to providing robust support and fulfilling its role as a public sports facility. With regular classes having started in early September, it anticipates that even more citizens will utilize the facility, contributing to the expansion of recreational sports.
The range of operating programs is also set to diversify. Starting in October, the diving pool will increase its sessions from two to three per day to accommodate more enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, commercial and lodging facilities within the complex are being carefully managed to enhance the overall development of the North Port area. Plans are underway to select the optimal leasing operator to integrate commercial and lodging services, revitalizing the local economy in conjunction with the completion of ongoing breakwater construction.
Song Sang-geun, president of the Busan Port Authority, stated, “The North Port Marina Sports Center is a key recreational space that brings the North Port redevelopment area closer to the citizens. We appreciate the support shown by the public during the reopening and will ensure that the facility remains a safe and enjoyable place for everyone.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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