Following is a question by the Hon Chan Chun-ying and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (November 4):
     
Question:

     There are a total of 46 public swimming pool complexes in Hong Kong for members of the public to swim and engage in water play. There are views that the degree of convenience of the various facilities within these complexes has a direct bearing on the public's swimming experience. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as it is learnt that the Government last reviewed the means of payment for admission fees to public swimming pools in 2001, when Octopus payment was introduced, and that at present, members of the public who wish to pay such fees by other electronic means need to purchase an electronic monthly ticket via the My SmartPLAY mobile application in order to gain admission, whether the Government has plans to conduct an overall review of the means of payment for admission fees to public swimming pools, with a view to further incorporating other electronic payment means to better align with the daily habits of members of the public; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) given that coin-return lockers are provided in public swimming pool complexes and users are required to bring their own five-dollar coins which they can get back after using the lockers, that there are views that such locker facilities are generally outdated and inconvenient to use, and that it is learnt that some public swimming pools on the Mainland have adopted the Radio Frequency Identification technology, enabling users to open lockers via contactless sensing without the need for additional auxiliary tools, whether the Government will consider refurbishing the existing locker facilities and adopting smart technology to enhance their convenience; if so, of the specific timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) given that wall-mounted hair dryers are provided free of charge for public use in the changing rooms of public swimming pool complexes, and that there are views that the queuing time for using such hair dryers is long and that wall-mounted hair dryers offer limited design flexibility, while hand-held hair dryers have been installed in some public swimming pool complexes (such as the Kwun Tong Swimming Pool Complex), whether the Government has considered progressively installing or replacing existing hair dryers with new models in public swimming pool complexes throughout the territory to facilitate public use; if so, of the specific timetable; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     My reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Chun-ying is as follows:

(1) The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has been keeping abreast of advances in electronic payment technology and actively promoting smart city development, to keep pace with the consumption and payment habits of the public. Since September 30, 2024, the LCSD has offered various electronic payment options for admission fees at all public swimming pools across the territory. At present, in addition to cash and Octopus, swimmers may pay admission fees via the Faster Payment System, Octopus Wallet, PayMe, Hong Kong and Mainland Alipay, Hong Kong and Mainland WeChat Pay and UnionPay App. The arrangement provides the public with electronic payment methods they commonly use in daily life, effectively enhancing admission efficiency and convenience. The LCSD will continue to review the operation of various swimming pool complexes and having regard to technological development and public demand, optimise the relevant payment service arrangements in due course.

(2) When constructing or renovating facilities of leisure venues, the LCSD takes a holistic view of various factors such as public views, venue nature, anticipated usage and operational needs. As for the proposal to introduce smart lockers at public swimming pools, under the principle of optimal utilisation of public resources, the LCSD will consider carrying out improvement or replacement works in due course, having regard to the condition of and actual demand for facilities at individual venues.

(3) Currently, hair dryers of fixed wall-mounted, height-adjustable wall-mounted and handheld models are provided in the LCSD's public swimming pools. The LCSD continues to monitor the use of various facilities at its venues, including the usage of hair dryers in changing rooms, as well as the operational safety and wear and tear across different designs of hair dryers. The LCSD will, in the light of public views, work out improvement solutions with relevant works departments for timely enhancement. In general, the LCSD and works departments will comprehensively assess the actual usage and wear and tear of the existing hair dryers, and install or replace them with suitable equipment in accordance with established procedures.

Ends/Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:20

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