Gwangju City Comprehensive Sports Complex Construction Project, Including Olympic-Standard Swimming Pool, Passes Central Investment Review

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Gwangju City announced on the 29th that the comprehensive sports complex construction project including an Olympic-standard swimming pool, which was requested for review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, has been conditionally approved following a re-examination of central investment review.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety reviewed the necessity and feasibility of the investment project promotion, including population increase and attracting the Provincial Sports Festival, as well as financial and economic efficiency, and presented conditions including a funding plan and expedited project promotion without further delays.

With this approval, the city plans to complete construction of an official Grade 3 (50M) swimming pool with 300 seats within the comprehensive sports complex by February 2026, which is expected to resolve a long-standing demand among swimming professionals and accelerate preparations for the Provincial Sports Festival.

Additionally, budget securing for facility renovation and new construction is progressing smoothly. Following 6.8 billion won in special adjustment grants and 500 million won in special transfer tax from April, the city was selected on the 27th for the '2025 Sports Promotion Facilities Public Offering Project' and secured 5.3 billion won in provincial budget, accumulating a total of 12.6 billion won, with an additional application for 2.7 billion won in special adjustment grants pending.

Accordingly, the city plans to complete standardization of all sports facilities, including the comprehensive sports complex, by December next year and create an environment satisfactory to both athletes and spectators.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan stated, "The Olympic-standard swimming pool passing central investment review has provided a breakthrough for successful hosting of the Provincial Sports Festival," and added, "I am grateful to all those who have worked hard, and I will do my best to establish all facilities as spaces for elite athlete development, sports enthusiasts, and citizens to use following the Provincial Sports Festival."