Xinwu High School's $570 million multi-purpose activity center underperforms, audit office points to deficiencies

The multi-purpose activity center at Xinwu High School in Taoyuan City, a facility built at a cost of over 570 million yuan, is facing scrutiny following an audit that identified significant management deficiencies.

The center, which includes a heated swimming pool and facilities for basketball, badminton, and fitness, was initially outsourced for operation in April 2021. However, the private operator encountered difficulties, citing high maintenance, utility costs, and limited public usage. Consequently, the operator proposed early termination of the five-year contract, which was agreed upon and finalized on August 31 of the previous year.

Following the termination, the facility was handed back to Xinwu High School for self-management and was only reopened to the public in January of this year. The Taoyuan City Audit Office's report highlighted that the school lacked a comprehensive management strategy upon reclaiming the center, including unclear positioning, operational models, and financial management measures. This absence of planning could hinder the center's ability to achieve financial self-sufficiency.

Furthermore, the audit office noted incomplete preservation of operational and financial data from the outsourced period, which could impede future contract management, risk assessment, and performance evaluation. The education bureau has stated plans to optimize the center's facilities over the next four years, with the heated swimming pool to be re-outsourced to a professional operator, while other areas will be managed by the school. The bureau also emphasized the need for schools to strengthen the preservation of operational and financial data.