Constructed more than a decade ago, the public swimming pool in Samtse has hardly served its purpose. The facility has remained closed most of the time. Now with the gradual relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, residents feel the facility should be made available to the public.
The swimming pool was constructed in 2010. Since 2016 it remained closed most of the time. Moreover, the pandemic has completely closed the facility.
With the closure of the only facility in the district, residents have been visiting the nearby river.
“We go swimming to Dhamdhuum river. It is quite far from here,” said a resident.
“The swimming pool here was constructed much earlier than the recent one in Tsirang. We don’t know what went wrong regarding the swimming pool here. It might be due to the lockdown. If the task force could reopen the swimming pool, I think it will be better for the residents here and also for the people from other districts visiting Samtse,” said Ngawang Nidup, in Samtse.
“Samtse Dzongkhag is one of the hottest districts in the country and we don’t have a reliable swimming pool. If the public swimming pool is open, I think it will benefit us and will also keep us healthy,” added Tshering Tashi, also in Samtse.
Since the outdoor gym facility is also located alongside the swimming pool, the facility also remains underutilized today.
The municipal office that looks after the project said that they had to close the facility in between due to the lack of a dedicated water supply. However, with the identification of a separate water source for the project, the office said they will open the facility when the dzongkhag COVID-19 task force allows.
Meanwhile, the dzongkhag administration said, for now, a few minor renovations work will be carried out before discussing the re-opening of the swimming pool.
About Nu 10 M have been spent to develop the facility with a pool, cafeteria, caretaker’s residence, three gazebos, bathroom with toilets, and the park along with an outdoor gym.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Sonam
