Gwangju City to Build an 'Open Gymnasium' in Pyeongdong Industrial Complex

Construction of Okdong 2 Neighborhood Park to Begin on the 19th, Scheduled for Completion in April Next Year

Aerial view of the Pyeongdong Industrial Complex Open Gymnasium. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 14th that it will begin construction of the "Pyeongdong Industrial Complex Open Gymnasium," which can be used by industrial complex workers and local residents together, on the 19th at Okdong 2 Neighborhood Park in the Pyeongdong Industrial Complex, Gwangsan-gu.

The Pyeongdong Industrial Complex is an area concentrated with manufacturing factories located away from the city center, lacking infrastructure where workers and local residents can regularly enjoy sports activities.

Accordingly, Gwangju City applied for the industrial complex environment improvement project hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2018, was selected as a recipient, secured 5 billion KRW in national funds, and including 5 billion KRW in city funds, will build the open gymnasium with a total project cost of 10 billion KRW.

The project site is Okdong 2 Neighborhood Park, located in the center of the Pyeongdong Industrial Complex with easy access and adjacent to a public parking lot for convenience. The gymnasium building will be from one basement floor to two above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 2,471㎡.

The first floor will have a 25m swimming pool with 5 lanes, showers, and changing rooms, and the second floor will be developed as a multipurpose gymnasium capable of accommodating various sports such as basketball and badminton, scheduled for completion in April next year.

In addition, Gwangju City is promoting the construction of an open gymnasium in the Bitgreen Industrial Complex to ensure the successful settlement of the Gwangju-type job project.

With a total project cost of 10 billion KRW including 5 billion KRW in national funds, it will be built with a total floor area of 2,560㎡, from one basement floor to three above-ground floors.

The first floor will be a parking lot, the second floor will house a 25m swimming pool with 5 lanes and a children's pool, and the third floor can be used as a multipurpose gymnasium. The detailed design has been completed, and construction will begin in May, with the project expected to be completed by 2022.

Kim Jun-young, Director of the Culture, Tourism and Sports Office of Gwangju City, said, "When the open gymnasiums are built in two industrial complexes by next year, workers and local residents will be able to conveniently enjoy sports activities anytime," adding, "We will create a vibrant Gwangju where work and healthy leisure coexist, improving quality of life and enabling all citizens to enjoy sports conveniently."