Struggling to find a place to cool off in Kowloon back in the early 1960s? The Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool was the answer. It opened in Kowloon Tsai Park on June 5 1964. This was Kowloon’s first public swimming pool.
Back then, bathing beaches were scarce. Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool quickly became a popular spot. The pool’s opening even made international news. A British Pathé newsreel highlighted the construction. It cost £125000. The film emphasized the lack of beaches nearby.
Imagine the excitement. The Urban Council invited 2000 children to the opening ceremony. Governor David Trench and Lady Trench attended. Sir David unveiled a memorial plaque. He fired a pistol to start the first school swimming race.
Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool was an instant hit. In its first month, it averaged 4784 visitors per day. This number exceeded the use of Victoria Park’s pool. It was the only other pool in Hong Kong at the time.
The Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool complex features several pools. There is a main 50-metre pool. A leisure pool is available for relaxation. A children’s pool offers a safe space for young swimmers.
Originally, the Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool drew its water from a well. The well was specifically sunk under the park. This provided a fresh water source for the pools.
The Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool’s location was strategic. It was on land leveled to improve the approach for planes landing at Kai Tak Airport. The airport’s presence affected the pool’s operating hours. The Civil Aviation Department restricted outdoor floodlighting. The Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool had to close at 4:00 pm.
The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club contributed significantly to the pool’s construction. They donated more than $2 million of the $3.5 million cost. Their support helped bring this vital recreational facility to Kowloon.
In late 2015, the government announced plans to replace the Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool. A new complex with indoor and outdoor pools is planned. The Architectural Services Department invited private firms to bid on the project.
Even with modernization on the horizon, the Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool holds a special place in Hong Kong’s history. After the demolition of the old Victoria Park Swimming Pool in 2014, it became the oldest existing public swimming pool in Hong Kong. It represents a time when community spaces were cherished and access to recreation was a priority. So, as we stand here, remember the legacy of the Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool.