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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
63
MR. STEVEN HUNG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, between 1993 and 1995, I very often went to the Kwun Tong swimming pool complex but I never saw the opening of the diving pool in the Swimming Pool Complex. Why is the answer given by Mr. WONG so different from my experience?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as I've said, the design of our swimming pool complexes is to enable some individual pools to be closed as and when not required by users to save energy and manpower. The occasional closure of the diving pool in Kwun Tong Swimming Pool probably may be due to the low utilization rate as seen by Mr. Wu.
MR. TIM S. MANUEL CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a supplementary question which is indirectly related to this question. I have received complaints that some swimming pools were partially closed. In other words, one or two lanes of the swimming pools were designated for some training course purposes. Is that a management problem due to shortage of manpower or some other reasons that swimmers are denied use of the whole complex?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the Department, apart from having to take care of public needs for swimming, on some occasions also lets out some of the lanes in swimming pools to individual organizations for use. But of course, the general public is accorded priority use. During peak periods, of course, these lanes will not be reserved for organizations or swimming clubs. However, during non-peak hours, if the Department considers that it will not affect the public use of swimming pools, some of the lanes will be rented out to organizations. I think these are the cases referred to by Mr. CHAN.
MR. TIM S. MANUEL CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, a simple follow-up. Through the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, can the Department give us a detailed explanation concerning the situation in the Chai Wan Swimming Pool?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): This can be arranged concerning the Chai Wan Swimming Pool. A few years ago, we had conducted a review because the utilization rate was extremely low. Some leisure pools have been provided in the Chai Wan Swimming Pool complex. Besides, it is not surprising that some lanes have been rented out to some affiliated clubs and other organizations for teaching and training purposes. I believe the information can be supplied to Mr. Chan as soon as possible.
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG (in Cantonese): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A follow-up question. With the increase in population, the utilization rate in the Chai Wan Swimming Pool Complex has increased significantly. So I hope that through the Chairman, the Department can open all the pools in Chai Wan Swimming Pool complex, including the diving pool and other ancillary facilities for longer periods. I hope that a review can be conducted for the convenience of the public.
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Page 86 of 485