The First Sports Welfare Hub for the Disabled in Western Gyeonggi
Preliminary Certification Acquired for the Barrier-Free Living Environment System
Mayor Kim Byungsu: "A Facility Designed for Priority Use by the Disabled, Offering a Variety of Programs"
On April 30, Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Byungsu) opened the Gimpo Bandabi Sports Center, the first sports welfare hub for the disabled in the western Gyeonggi region. The opening ceremony, held at the newly established Gimpo Bandabi Sports Center in Unyang-dong, was attended by over 150 people, including representatives of organizations for the disabled, citizens, Mayor Kim Byungsu, and other key figures.
Kim Byungsu, mayor of Gimpo City, is cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Gimpo Bandabi Sports Center, the first sports welfare hub for the disabled in the western Gyeonggi region, on the 30th. Photo by Gimpo City
The Gimpo Bandabi Sports Center was built with a total project cost of 22.57 billion won (6.3 billion won from the national government and 16.27 billion won from the city budget). It is a sports facility designed for both disabled and non-disabled people to use freely. The center consists of one basement floor and three above-ground floors, and is equipped with major sports facilities such as a swimming pool (six lanes), a multipurpose gymnasium, and a fitness center, as well as auxiliary facilities including multipurpose rooms and a care center.
In particular, the center has obtained preliminary certification for the Barrier-Free (BF) system, which certifies obstacle-free living environments, to ensure that all citizens can use the facility conveniently and safely. The center is scheduled to receive full certification later this year. In addition, as a facility prioritizing the needs of the disabled, the center plans to expand dedicated parking spaces for the disabled in May to further enhance accessibility.
In his commemorative address, Mayor Kim Byungsu stated, "The Gimpo Bandabi Sports Center is a sports facility designed so that people with disabilities can use it first and foremost without inconvenience. It will become a valuable space where both disabled and non-disabled people can come together to improve their health and quality of life. Gimpo City will continue to make ongoing efforts to enhance sports welfare for the disabled and to create an open sports environment where everyone can participate."
The event began with a pre-ceremony performance, followed by a progress report, commemorative address, congratulatory remarks, unveiling ceremony and ribbon cutting, and a facility tour. Notably, the pre-ceremony performance featured singer Park Seokjin; comedian Kim Hyesun, who is both a Gimpo City ambassador and a director of the Gimpo City Disabled Sports Association; and the Heungsam Forte team, who brought warmth and energy to the event.
Meanwhile, the Gimpo Bandabi Sports Center, which is also open to non-disabled people, plans to offer a variety of daily sports programs as well as programs specialized for the disabled. The center is expected to significantly contribute to increasing participation in sports among people with disabilities and to promoting community integration.
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