High time for new public swimming pool in Miri to cater for increasing population, says deputy minister

MIRI (Sept 10): It is time to consider building a second public swimming pool to cater to the increasing population of Miri, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I Datuk Sebastian Ting.

He said this when asked by The Borneo Post during a site inspection at the public swimming pool here today.

“Ideally, there should be another (public swimming pool). For this, a proposal will need to be prepared,” he responded.

When asked whether it was possible to get a new pool, Ting said it was about time for one as it can encourage locals to take up swimming as exercise and sports.

“In Sukma, Sarawak got quite a bit of gold in swimming and diving,” he said.

In the meantime, he said it was important to focus on improving the existing swimming pool and have the project completed in time to be reopened to the public again.

The site inspection was to monitor the progress of the pool’s upgrading works, where the fabrication works for roofing began on Monday.

The other project for the swimming pool is the water pump system, which the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development will be following up on and is currently awaiting approval from the federal government, he said.

“If approved by the federal government, the project will be handled by the Sarawak government and we will have it done as soon as possible. I will be keeping a close eye on the project’s progress, as I have promised the people of Miri to have the pool reopened as soon as possible,” he said.