By KHT Staff. Images via KH City Govt.
KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung’s latest community sports center opened in Lujhu District (路竹區) on Oct. 9, becoming the city’s 13th such venue as its network of public exercise facilities continues to expand.
The Lujhu Sports Center (路竹運動中心) combines existing facilities at Lujhu Senior High School (路竹高中) with new spaces, allowing students and local residents to share a swimming pool, gym and multipurpose courts.
The city funded the entire NT$190 million project because Lujhu’s population did not meet the threshold for central government sports-center subsidies, said Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), according to the city’s opening announcement.
The center also provides boxing fitness activities and equipment designed for older adults. The project improves training conditions for school athletes, including boxers who previously practiced in a sheet-metal building, said Chen.
The opening is part of the city’s “14+1” sports-center rollout, which includes new facilities in several districts.
Because the Lujhu center is on a school campus, public access is mainly limited to evenings on weekdays. Current opening hours are 6 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays, according to United Daily News.
Some residents have questioned the restricted hours and gym equipment selection. The Sports Development Bureau (運動發展局) said it would discuss additional access with the school, including a possible 6 to 8 a.m. session before classes. That proposal has not been confirmed.
Older residents can use the swimming pool free from 8 to 10 a.m. and the gym from noon to 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays, according to the city announcement.
