Fourteen aging school swimming pools in Seoul will undergo renovations in phases. Additionally, the fee reduction for female youth using public swimming pools is set to expand.
According to the Seoul City Council on September 17, Im Man-kyun, the chair of the council, visited the swimming pool facilities at Cheongun Elementary School in Jongno District on September 16 to assess the condition and safety management of the facilities. He was accompanied by Yoon Sun-hee, a Seoul City Council member.
After receiving a report on the renovation plans, Im inspected user convenience facilities such as changing rooms and showers, as well as the safety management of the facilities.
The Cheongun Elementary School swimming pool, located on the basement level, has been operating with six lanes. After more than 20 years since its completion, the need for renovations due to facility aging has been raised. The pool has been closed since July for renovations, which are expected to be completed in the second half of next year.
Currently, there are a total of 48 school swimming pools under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Among these, 14, including Cheongun Elementary, are set to undergo renovations to improve aging facilities.
Im Man-kyun stated, "With the mandatory swimming education, school swimming pools have become important educational and sports facilities that support the healthy growth and safety of students. We will gradually improve aging facilities to ensure that students and local residents can conveniently access swimming pools nearby."
The Seoul City Council is also expanding the 10% fee reduction for female youth using public swimming pools. Reflecting the reality that the growth and onset of secondary sexual characteristics in adolescents have been occurring earlier, the council is proposing to lower the minimum age for fee reductions from the current 13 to 9 years.
The amendments will affect four ordinances, including the 'Ordinance on the Installation and Operation of Seoul City Sports Facilities,' the 'Ordinance on the Management and Operation of Seoul City Community Plazas,' the 'Ordinance on the Use and Operation of Sports Facilities under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education,' and the 'Ordinance on the Opening and Use of Public School Facilities by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.'
Yoon Sun-hee remarked, "Since the Youth Basic Law defines youth as starting at age 9, it is necessary to adjust related ordinances accordingly. We will improve the system to ensure that female youth can grow healthier through swimming."
Im emphasized, "We will listen to the voices from the education office and school sites to improve necessary systems in line with reality. Public sports facilities, including schools, are not only for students but also serve as community sports hubs, so we will carefully monitor facility renovations, safety enhancements, and the expansion of sports welfare."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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