Kaohsiung sports center faces criticism over budget, facilities

Kaohsiung City Councilor Chen Mei-ya has voiced strong criticism regarding the newly opened Sanmin Sports Center, highlighting a series of issues reported by residents shortly after its inauguration. Among the complaints are a limited number of treadmills in the gym, discomfort experienced by swimmers, and unpleasant odors in the restrooms.

Chen specifically questioned the substantial cost overrun of the project. The initial budget announced when construction began in 2022 was approximately NT$401 million, with central government subsidies and city funds. However, by the time of its completion in 2026, the total project cost had ballooned to an estimated NT$765 million. This represents an increase of nearly 90%, or an additional NT$364 million, which Chen insists needs a clear explanation.

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Additional NT$364 million, where did the money go? After spending NT$765 million, why do citizens still have so many problems after actually using it? The city government has a responsibility to clarify every penny.

"Where did the extra NT$364 million go?" Chen demanded, emphasizing that the city government is responsible for clarifying every expenditure. She pointed out the inadequacy of having only four treadmills, a basic and high-demand piece of equipment, in a sports center serving the populous Sanmin District. This raises questions about whether the facility's planning truly meets the needs of its users.

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Test results meet the standards, but that doesn't mean the problems reported by the public can be ignored.

Further concerns were raised about the swimming pool. While official water quality test results reportedly meet standards, Chen noted that some users have experienced skin redness and discomfort after swimming. She stressed that compliance with standards does not negate user feedback and called for further investigation into factors like chlorine levels, pH, disinfection methods, filtration systems, and ventilation. Chen also urged the city government to immediately inspect the drainage, odor control, and ventilation systems in the restrooms, stating that a newly opened facility should not face such basic quality issues so quickly.

Chen Mei-ya called for the Kaohsiung city government to publicly release a detailed breakdown of the increased budget, design changes, and all construction expenses. She also demanded improvements to the gym equipment and thorough investigations into the swimming pool's water quality and restroom odors.

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A newly opened facility should not have such basic quality problems so quickly.