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What do you think of the Victoria Park pool plan?

There is a proposal to build an indoor swimming centre in Victoria Park ('Loss of outdoor pools opposed', May 6). Is there also a proposal to erect a shopping plaza on top of this pool? Ah yes, it's another ill-conceived idea from the government.

The reality of Hong Kong is that it is an environmental nightmare in terms of its air pollution levels and lack of quality outdoor space in its urban areas. This poorly planned proposal, which would cost HK$1.07 billion, is hardly a surprise.

While there may be a strong demand for indoor pools, the proposal to build indoor swimming areas in Victoria Park merely shows the lack of exposure that the officials have had to year-long sports facilities. The swimming season is already too short.

It would be much better to take better advantage of the local climate by extending the current [outdoor pool] swimming season (currently April-October) an extra two months and build outdoor heated pools. An outdoor heated pool allows people to swim in warm water while enjoying the outside air.

Anyone who has experienced this would agree that swimming outdoors in the middle of winter in a heated pool is a far superior way to exercise than in an indoor heated pool.

The indoor pool is really designed for places with extremely cold winters.

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