Kwun Tong Swimming Pool

Summary

Kwun Tong Swimming Pool (Chinese: 觀塘游泳池) is a public swimming pool in Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong and is the largest swimming pool complex in Kwun Tong District. It is located south of Tsui Ping Estate and is close to Kwun Tong and Lam Tin stations. Currently, it is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong Government. Covering an area of about 23,038 m2, there are multiple outdoor indoor swimming pool facilities, which provide residents in the district with all-day indoor and outdoor swimming venues. It is also a popular choice for residents of East Kowloon to learn to swim.

Kwun Tong Swimming Pool
Kwun Tong Swimming Pool
Map
22°18′38″N 114°13′48″E / 22.3105413°N 114.2300679°E / 22.3105413; 114.2300679
Location2 Tsui Ping Road, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
Opened25 July 1971; 52 years ago (1971-07-25) (old site)
1 April 2013; 11 years ago (2013-04-01) (current site)
Operated byLeisure and Cultural Services Department
ArchitectRonald Lu and Partners
TypeIndoor and outdoor
CostHK$1,323.8 million
WebsiteOfficial website
Kwun Tong Swimming Pool
Traditional Chinese觀塘游泳池
Simplified Chinese观塘游泳池

History edit

The old Kwun Tong Swimming Pool, built and originally managed by the Urban Council, opened on 25 July 1971. The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club donated HK$5,410,000 toward the construction of the swimming complex, which was located immediately north of the current pool.[1] It was formally opened on 30 October 1971 by Princess Anne.[2]

In 2000, the Urban Council was disbanded by the government, and management of the swimming pool became the responsibility of the newly formed Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).

The government proposed in 2002 to build the Kwun Tong Town Hall and rebuild the Kwun Tong Swimming Pool on the original swimming pool site, but this plan was shelved in 2006.[3]

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department applied for funding in 2009 to build a new Kwun Tong swimming pool on the old site of the Kwun Tong Recreation Ground Football Field, which was constructed by Gammon Construction[4] and was opened on 1 April 2013.[5] It was officially opened by the late Florence Hui on 26 October 2013.[6]

Facilities edit

Indoor facilities[7]
  • Main pool
  • Training pool
  • Spectator stand (1,492 seats)
  • Electronic scoreboard
  • Family changing room
Outdoor facilities[7]
  • Secondary pool
  • Two teaching pools
  • Sun bathing area

References edit

  1. ^ "New pool opens today". South China Morning Post. 25 July 1971. p. 2.
  2. ^ Cawthorne, Zelda; So, Kenneth; Yip, Chris (31 October 1971). "Princess sees lion dance". South China Morning Post.
  3. ^ "擬建大會堂 無奈遭擱置 - 香港文匯報". Wen Wei Po. 19 February 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Gammon Wins Kwun Tong Swimming Pool Complex Redevelopment Contract". Gammon Construction. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Kwun Tong Swimming Pool to open with a new look (with photos)". Government of Hong Kong. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Kwun Tong pool formally opened". Government of Hong Kong. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Information on Public Swimming Pools". Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Retrieved 10 April 2021.

External links edit

  • "Leisure and Cultural Services Department - Beaches and Swimming Pools - Information of Public Swimming Pools - Hong Kong Island & in Kowloon". Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Retrieved 10 April 2021.