The upgrading project of the Seberang Perai Public Swimming Pool has reached 65% completion and is expected to be finished by October this year, with the possibility of reopening as early as January next year. The entrance fee will remain unchanged.

YB Soon Lip Chee, the chairman of the Penang Youth and Sports Committee, visited the progress of the pool project on Thursday and stated that the entrance fee was the public’s primary concern. He reassured the public that the entrance fee would remain at RM3, and there is no need to worry.

He said that on March 22, 2022, the Seberang Perai City Council transferred the management of the swimming pool to the Penang Stadium Board and Open Spaces Corporation, and leased it to the private company D Swim Academy Sdn. Bhd. for a period of 18 years.

He said that the upgrading project started in July last year, and the cost was borne by the rental company. After the project started, it was discovered that there were many water leakage problems, so the project cost was increased from the original RM3 million to RM4 million ringgit.

He said the enhancement works included pool maintenance and upgrading, capping of the adult pool, upgrading of toilets, ticket counters, restaurants and prayer rooms, as well as electrical works, installation of CCTV, upgrading of the pump room and automatic acid level (pH) regulation system.

Before the closure, the pool was open from 11am to 9pm Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday, and closed on Monday for maintenance.

The admission fee is RM3 for adults, RM1.50 for children (under 12 years old), RM10 for foreigners, RM5 for foreign children, free for the disabled and senior citizens (over 60 years old).

Soon stated that the state government fully supports the promotion program of swimming lessons for B40 families and children organized by the Youth and Sports Department. After the pool reopens, they will collaborate with D Swim Academy to provide swimming courses and enable more B40 children to learn swimming.