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Members of the public love to go swimming in Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) swimming pools during summer to beat the heat, and many of them choose to buy the more economical monthly tickets. Since the LCSD introduced the Public Swimming Pool Monthly Ticket Smart Card Access System in April last year to provide a more convenient public pools admission arrangement, more than 10 000 smart cards have been issued.
A spokesman for the LCSD said today (July 20) that the monthly smart card was printed with the card holder's portrait and preloaded with information on the validity period. Smart card holders can enter the public swimming pool by simply presenting their smart cards for identity verification, thus making admission easier and more convenient. This system is particularly convenient for elderly people and children, who can thus save themselves from the worry of possible loss of identity cards.
Currently, monthly ticket holders who have not applied for smart cards must produce documentary proof of identity upon admission to swimming pools for verification.
"Smart cards are reusable. Card holders only need to purchase monthly tickets upon expiry at designated ticket outlets and have the new validity period of the monthly tickets updated. Their smart cards can then be reused. Smart cards are eco-friendly," the spokesman added.
At present, all public swimming pools managed by the LCSD (except Wan Chai Swimming Pool which is designated for group training) have been installed with the smart card access systems. The spokesman urged the public to buy public swimming pool monthly tickets and use smart cards to make swimming even more fun.
The Public Swimming Pool Monthly Ticket Scheme has been well received since its launch in 2012. Ticket smart cards cost $300 per month. Swimmers aged 60 or above, persons with disabilities and their minders, children aged between three and 13 and full-time students can enjoy half-rate concession.
Monthly ticket holders using smart cards with portraits are not required to produce documentary proof of identity upon entering the public swimming pools. Smart cards can be applied free of charge at 61 ticket outlets including LCSD's district leisure services offices and booking counters of designated sports centres and leisure venues. For details, please visit the department's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-ticket.php. Enquiries can be made by calling 2414 5555.
Ends/Sunday, July 20, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:00
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