📋 Tender Overview
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Chunying 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 publics 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 coinreturn lockers are provided in public swimming pool complexes and users are required to bring their own fivedollar coins which they can get back after using the lockers that there are views that such locker facilities are generally outdated and inconvenient to use and that it is learnt that some public swimming pools on the Mainland have adopted the Radio Frequency Identification technology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 wallmounted 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 wallmounted hair dryers offer limited design flexibility while handheld 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 Chunying 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 wallmounted heightadjustable wallmounted and handheld models are provided in the LCSDs 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
