Pool closure for future comfort

1 The Ipoh City Council Swimming Pool Complex.2&3 A worker removing the old tiles at the men’s changing room.4. Old structures and facilities at the 30-year-old swimming pool undergoing a major facelift.5 Wong and his children have to go to another swimming pool upon learning that the Ipoh City Council Swimming Pool Complex was temporarily closed.6 Old toilet seats being replaced during the renovations.Photos by SAIFUL BAHRI

THE public is questioning the rationale of closing the Ipoh City Council Swimming Pool Complex for three months to carry out renovations.

They feel that work could be done in stages.

Some were caught unaware by the closure and only found out about it when they arrived at the complex.

Swimming instructor Alice Low said she felt the three-month closure was a bit too long.

She said for such renovations, the place should be closed for a month or so.

“It will be better if they could let the public use the pools.

“I usually see a group of senior citizens swimming there daily for their health, following their doctors’ advice.

“I heard they now need to fork out more than RM100 per month to use private swimming pools to make sure their health is not compromised,” she added.

Former national hockey player M. Vishnu, who represented the country in the World Cup in 1973, said the complex should remain open, and that the public should be allowed to use the smaller changing rooms available at the site.

He said he swims there Mondays to Fridays after suffering a back injury about a year ago.

He said the smaller changing rooms were not undergoing any renovations and so the council should have used that as an alternative.

“I have seen handicapped children using the pool for their special therapy with an instructor.

“There are so many people affected, including the swimming instructors, because most of us cannot afford to pay the exorbitant fees charged by swimming clubs to use their facilities,” he added.

Vishnu said although the fee charged for adults was only RM1, but for those using the pool daily, it cost them RM30 per month.

A worker removing the old tiles at the men’s changing room.

He said for pensioners like him, the council should give discounts or privilege cards.

“I have served the state and the country, and today I have to fork out RM30 per month to use the pool.

“However, with the ongoing works, I will not be able to swim for at least three months.

“A private swimming club is charging RM10 per session which is too much for me,” he added.

Lift installer C.K Wong, who brought his two children aged nine and 10 to the complex, was shocked to read the notice pasted stating that the pool would be closed for renovations until Oct 31.

He said he brought his children weekly and had not heard about the closure.

“I know the toilets and changing rooms need repairs and refurbishment, but closing it for such a long period is not a very good idea.

“There are lots of people who cannot afford to send their children for swimming at private pools because it is expensive,” he added.

Housewife Parmjit Kaur, 46, said she drove all the way from Bercham to send her two sons for swimming, only to be told that the pool was closed for renovations.

“The instructor also did not inform me or my children about the closure.

“My sons aged nine and 10, only started going for classes about two months ago, and now with the pool closed, I am worried that they will forget what the instructor has taught them,” she added.

Old struc - tures and facilities at the 30-yearold swimming pool undergoing a major facelift.

During a press conference at the complex on Monday, council secretary Mohd Zakuan Zakaria said the contractor was expected to take eight weeks to complete the refurbishment works of the toilets and changing rooms.

He said works started on Aug 3 and it is expected to be completed by Sept 28, with a total cost of RM287,680.

“The complex will be closed until Oct 31 because that is the maximum time frame for the works to be completed, but we are hoping it will be ready earlier,” he added.

Among the works carried out are the replacement of floor and wall tiles, installation of new water pipes, replacement of toilet ceiling and painting works.

He said the pool was over 30 years old and this was the first time major repair work was being carried out at the toilets and changing rooms.

“People have been complaining that the toilets are filthy and required upgrading.

“We are carrying out the works to provide better facilities for the people,” he added.

Mohd Zakuan said the contractors have been working day and night, sometimes till 2am.

“I believe they will be able to complete the project about two or three weeks before the stated date,” he said, urging the people to be patient as they were the ones who will be enjoying the improved facilities later.

He said the diving pool and Olympic-size pool would remain open to athletes who need to prepare for their tournaments.

Old toilet seats being replaced during the renovations.

He also said major renovations to the pools were in the pipeline as the state would be hosting Sukma in 2018.

“Announcements will be made in due time on the major renovation works,” he added.

The complex houses an Olympic-size pool, diving pool, beginners’ pool, children’s pool, leisure pool and wave pool.

During the weekends and public holidays, there are close to 2,000 people using the facilities at the complex, while on weekdays there are about 600 people on average.