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Swimming pool complexes under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will be open for public use from April 1 or upon completion of annual maintenance. The department calls on swimmers to keep public swimming pools clean and hygienic while swimming.
For the 15 pool complexes with both heated and non-heated swimming facilities, heated facilities will continue operation between April 1 and 15 while non-heated facilities will come into service from April 16.
"This year's opening arrangement was made based on the considerations of previous experience and usage, and the need to protect the environment and use resources effectively," a spokesman for the LCSD said.
The 15 swimming complexes are Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool and Sham Shui Po Park Swimming Pool in Sham Shui Po District; Kowloon Park Swimming Pool in Yau Tsim Mong District; Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool in Kowloon City District; Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool in Wong Tai Sin District; Kwun Tong Swimming Pool in Kwun Tong District; Tung Chung Swimming Pool in Islands District; Tuen Mun North West Swimming Pool and Tuen Mun Swimming Pool in Tuen Mun District; Yuen Long Swimming Pool in Yuen Long District; Fanling Swimming Pool in North District; Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool and Hin Tin Swimming Pool in Sha Tin District; Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool in Tsuen Wan District; and Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool in Sai Kung District.
All public swimming pools, except Mui Wo Swimming Pool, will be open between April and October from 6.30am to 10pm for three sessions daily with two breaks. To tie in with the ferry schedule, the daily opening hours of Mui Wo Swimming Pool are from 8.30am to 10pm with two breaks.
To maintain the hygiene of public swimming pools, each pool will be closed for thorough cleaning once a week, in addition to the routine cleaning work carried out daily. The cleaning operation will be conducted on a designated weekday (Monday to Friday) from 10am to the end of the second session. If the scheduled weekly cleaning day falls on a public holiday, cleaning will be rescheduled to another weekday in the same week.
Individual swimming pools will be temporarily closed during certain periods in 2015 for maintenance works. Details are set out in the Annex.
"To ensure a clean environment in public swimming pools, swimmers should observe the pool rules and maintain personal hygiene," the spokesman added. He reminded swimmers to observe the following points:
(a) Swimmers should shower in the changing room before entering the pool deck;
(b) Swimmers should walk through the shower bath and footbath;
(c) Swimmers should not go swimming if they feel unwell and should seek medical consultation instead;
(d) Swimmers are advised to use the toilet before swimming and should never urinate or defecate in the pools. They should leave the water immediately and use the toilet if they have to vomit; and
(e) Parents should teach their children the importance of maintaining personal and public hygiene.
The spokesman also encouraged holders of the public swimming pool monthly ticket to apply for monthly ticket smart cards which enable them to enjoy swimming services with ease and convenience by entering the pools using smart cards with their portraits and information on the validity period, instead of producing documentary proof of identity.
For details of the opening arrangements and the schedule of the weekly cleaning operations of the public swimming pools, please visit the following websites: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro/swim-location-hk.html (swimming pools in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon) and www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro/swim-location-nt.html (for swimming pools in the New Territories).
Ends/Thursday, March 26, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:27
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