Newsletter No. 54

CUHK NEWSLETTER TheStoryUniversitySwimming Pool Since it was opened in 1973, the University Swimming Pool has been the favourite haunt of both staff and studentts during the summer months. The pool is annually closed in winter for renovations, and it was not reopened until 22nd April this year, a little later than usual. The delay was due to Improvement and expansion works, and indeed many swimmers may have noticed that the toilets are now much larger and better equipped. The changing rooms, however, are crowded as before, and many may have asked questions about why these rooms were not taken into account. Inadequate Changin g Room s Inadequate changin g room s hav e bee n a caus e fo r concern sinc e th e earl y eighties , an d th e Universit y ha s received man y complaint s abou t th e limite d numbe r o f th e rooms an d thei r sparta n showe r facilities . A s a temporar y measure the Buildings Office, aware that the pool toilets has been under-utilized, abolishe d som e of these toilets to mak e room fo r mor e changin g rooms . Thi s conversio n provide d much neede d relie f fo r some time . A plan of the expanded pool pavilion: the shaded areas mark the extensions already built or which are due to be completed. A Long-term Solutio n With th e grea t boo m i n staf f an d studen t number s a s a result of the University's rapid expansion in recent years, the changing room s wer e soo n foun d to be too smal l again . O n the othe r hand , whe n poo l facilitie s wer e inspecte d b y officers o f th e Regiona l Service s Departmen t las t year , th e provision o f toilet s wa s foun d t o hav e falle n shor t o f requirements o f legislation . Th e Universit y wa s thu s required, o n pai n o f discontinuatio n o f it s poo l licence , t o expand th e toilets . A t thi s poin t th e Universit y fel t tha t i t would b e expedien t t o carry ou t a relatively comprehensiv e improvement programm e s o a s to mee t demand s from both the government an d pool users . However construction wor k was t o tak e time , an d no t onl y th e swimmin g activitie s o f staff an d student s woul d b e i n jeopardy , bu t swimmin g classes o f th e Facult y o f Educatio n woul d als o b e undul y affected, i f improvemen t work s coul d no t b e complete d i n The lower storey of the expanded pavilion, with toilets and changing rooms for men and women at either ends NO.54MA Y 1994 6