Gwangju City Passes Central Investment Review for 50m Public Swimming Pool

Successful Hosting of the 2026-2027 Gyeonggi-do Sports Festival 'Breath of Relief'

Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Bang Se-hwan) announced on the 29th that the comprehensive stadium construction project, including the certified swimming pool requested from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, was conditionally approved after a re-evaluation of the central investment review.

Gwangju City Hall exterior. Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety reviewed the necessity and feasibility of the investment project due to population growth and hosting the Provincial Sports Festival, as well as financial and economic efficiency, and set conditions such as securing funding plans and ensuring prompt project progress without further delays.

With this approval, the city plans to build a certified Grade 3 (50m) swimming pool with 300 seats within the comprehensive stadium by February 2026, resolving the long-standing wish of swimmers and accelerating preparations for the Provincial Sports Festival.

Additionally, the budget for renovating the stadium and constructing new facilities is progressing smoothly. Following 6.8 billion KRW in special adjustment grants and 500 million KRW in special subsidies in April, the city secured 5.3 billion KRW in provincial funds by being selected for the ‘2025 Sports Promotion Facility Public Project’ on the 27th, totaling 12.6 billion KRW, and has additionally applied for 2.7 billion KRW in special adjustment grants.

Accordingly, the city plans to complete the standardization of all stadiums, including the comprehensive stadium, by December 2025, creating an environment that satisfies both athletes and spectators.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan said, “The certified swimming pool passing the central investment review has opened a new path for the successful hosting of the Provincial Sports Festival,” and added, “I thank everyone who worked hard, and we will do our best to ensure that all the facilities created become a space for elite athlete development, sports clubs, and citizens after the Provincial Sports Festival.”