I refer to letters from M. L. Yeung, Andrew Ip, and Yvonne White (South China Morning Post, August 25 and 28 and September 4, respectively), concerning the management of public swimming pools.
Running in the area around the pool or jumping into the pool, are not allowed. We have notices at conspicuous locations at our pools advising swimmers that these activities are banned. We have reminded pool staff to step up efforts to prevent this kind of misbehaviour.
Regarding suggestions to provide lanes for lap swimming at public pools, we already do this at the Morrison Hill, Kowloon Park, Tai Wan Shan and Kwun Tong pools and will soon have these lanes at the Tseung Kwan O pool. We shall consider extending this arrangement to other pools should demand arise.
Ms White was concerned, specifically, about operational arrangements and discipline at the Mui Wo pool and about opening hours of our New Territories pools.
To strike a balance between the needs of learners and competent swimmers, we use a maximum of half of the Mui Wo pool for organised swimming classes. The remaining area is for individual swimmers.
A timetable showing the periods reserved for swimming classes is displayed at the entrance of the pool complex. We review usage patterns at the end of every swimming season to meet the demands of different levels of swimmers.