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Taipei councilor criticizes city over shuttered pools

A Taipei City councilor yesterday accused the city government of ignoring the financial problems of one of its contractors, which recently shuttered seven municipal swimming pools, and urged it to take over management of the pools.

Eden Athletics (溢登體育事業有限公司), a company that operated several municipal swimming pools, tennis courts and other sports facilities, had failed to pay the city government the pools' premium and utilities since 2004, and finally closed seven facilities -- the Yuquan, Yucheng, Kechiang, Fuxing, Chienkang, Beitou Water Park and Taipei Youth Park swimming pools -- a few days ago because of financial difficulties, independent Taipei City Councilor Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘) said.

"The city government needs to take responsibility for indulging a problematic contractor and damaging the rights of Taipei residents," Chen told a press conference at Taipei City Council.

Several members from the Youth Park Swimming Club yesterday expressed concern over the management of the pools and urged the city government to seek compensation for swimmers.

One member surnamed Huang said the company continued to sell annual swimming tickets until last month. Huang blasted the city government for failing to warn residents about the company's financial situation.

In response to Chen's request for the city government to take over the management of the seven pools and end the contract with the company, Teddy Kao (高道涵), spokesman for the city's Parks and Street Lights Office, promised to protect the rights of consumers but declined to confirm whether the office would end the contract.

Chen Po-ching (陳柏菁), the Taipei City consumer protection ombudsman, demanded the office look into the contractor's responsibilities and appropriate part of the municipal budget to compensate consumers.
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