In Hong Kong, summer is the season to hit the water, and it’s easy to do with so many public swimming pools in the city. From waterslides to fountains, there’s a splash for every family size and age. We’ve got a round-up of our top 5 favourites, but be sure to check out our full list for more swimming pool fun.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has reopened most of its swimming pools for the summer. However, some pools may not open fully due to staff shortages – especially lifeguards. This is because a number of pool staff have gone on strike to demand higher wages. The strike started on Monday, and has since grown to include more than 500 pool staff.
According to the HK Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union (HKRSPGU), around 20 public swimming pools may only partially reopen this summer. It also warned that around 500 licensed private pools will not open this month, because they do not have enough lifeguards.
The HKRSPGU is demanding a minimum wage of HK$37,000 per month for lifeguards, as well as two-year contracts. They believe this will help attract more pool staff, who are currently working on short-term contracts. The union also wants a reduction in the entry fees for children, senior citizens and students. The current fees are HK$17 per person on weekdays and HK$19 on weekends.
During the summer, public swimming pools are the best place to cool down and splash around, especially when the temperature gets above 30 degrees Celsius. But, there’s one thing to keep in mind: a lot of public pools in Hong Kong are not hygienic and clean. The water is often dirty and contaminated with human waste, which can cause diseases such as diarrhea and skin infections. In addition, some swimming pools are prone to flooding, which can make the water dangerous for swimmers.
In the past, the LCSD has tried to improve pool hygiene by installing more water-filtration machines and increasing sanitation patrols. However, there is still a long way to go.
The LCSD is working hard to ensure that the pools are as clean as possible this summer. In the meantime, it’s best to bring your own drinking water when visiting a public swimming pool. The LCSD will continue to monitor the cleanliness of all its facilities and will take necessary measures accordingly. In addition, all public parks will have more sanitation patrols to keep an eye on their facilities and waterways. This is especially important for public swimming pools, which are the main venues for recreational and sporting activities. In the future, if the need arises, more disinfection equipment will be purchased for all park facilities. This will ensure that the pools are kept clean and safe for all visitors. In the future, the LCSD will also provide training for all its staff in order to improve their cleanliness and safety awareness. This is part of the LCSD’s efforts to make Hong Kong a green and clean city.