Yongsangu to Implement Resident-Priority Registration for Public Sports Facilities Starting in September

'Resident-Priority Registration System'
to Be Introduced at Four Public Sports Facilities
Including Yongsangu Culture and Sports Center

Yongsangu in Seoul (District Mayor Park Heeyoung) will implement a resident-priority registration system for public sports facilities starting in September. This measure aims to guarantee the 'right to sports' for all residents.

The resident-priority registration system will apply to four sports facilities: Yongsangu Culture and Sports Center, Wonhyoro Multipurpose Indoor Gymnasium, Hangangro Fitness Center, and the Itaewon Elementary School swimming pool (scheduled to open).

Inside Hangangro Fitness Center. Provided by Yongsangu.

Previously, program re-registration (20th?23rd of each month) and new registration (from the 24th until fully booked) were conducted without distinguishing between residents and non-residents. Going forward, 'Yongsangu residents' will have priority for re-registration (20th?22nd) and new registration (23rd), followed by 'non-residents' and general registration (from the 24th until fully booked).

However, facilities with relatively lower usage demand?such as the fitness center at the district office (Comprehensive Administrative Town) and eight community center gyms?will continue to accept registrations at any time, regardless of residency. Re-registration for these gyms will begin on the 25th of each month.

Yongsangu stated, "Competition to enroll in certain programs, such as swimming and badminton, has become intense. Additionally, 15 other districts in Seoul already operate resident-priority registration systems. For these reasons, there have been ongoing requests for our district to allow residents to register first." The district added, "The new system will apply to programs in October, for which registration opens in September, so please be sure to check the registration schedule."

To implement this system, the district built an integrated reservation system for public sports facilities last year. The district's website and mobile web service have been upgraded, enabling real-time verification of residency and eligibility for fee reductions.

Furthermore, at the 298th first regular session of the Yongsangu Council held last month, Article 7 (Priority of Use Permission) of the 'Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Sports Facilities in Yongsangu, Seoul' was amended to include 'Yongsangu residents,' providing a legal basis for the resident-priority registration system.

Park Heeyoung, Mayor of Yongsangu, said, "After pilot operations for certain programs, such as special summer vacation classes, the resident-priority registration system will be fully implemented starting in September. We will continue to make district administration that puts residents first."

Meanwhile, with this ordinance amendment, the district has added the 'Itaewon Elementary School swimming pool' to the list of public sports facilities. As the first public swimming pool in the eastern part of Yongsangu, construction will run from June to September this year, with the official opening scheduled for October. The facility will be operated by the district's Facilities Management Corporation.