"Transformation Under the Overpass" From Pickleball Courts to Swimming Pools... Goyang City to Become a Sports Hotspot

Goyang City Transforms Idle Urban Spaces into a "Sports Hub"
Accelerating Expansion of Community-Based Sports Infrastructure
Additional Sports Facilities to Open Under Overpasses in Seongseok-dong and Haengju-dong This Year
Construction Progressing Smoothly for Tanhyeon Sports Center and Baekseok National Sports Center

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) is transforming abandoned and idle urban spaces into "community-based sports facilities" to strengthen sports welfare and promote public health.

Demolition site created under the overpass of National Road No. 39 (Daejang-dong). Provided by Goyang Special City

According to Goyang Special City on January 29, the city is expanding its sports infrastructure by utilizing underpasses with low usage rates and disaster prevention facilities such as retention basins. From 2023 to 2026, the city is carrying out a phased development project with a total budget of 3.85 billion won.

Already in March last year, foot volleyball and futsal courts were established under the overpasses in Naegok-dong and Daejang-dong, Deogyang-gu, creating an environment where people can exercise regardless of the weather. In addition, sports facilities have been created by utilizing retention basins, which serve as disaster prevention facilities to prevent flooding. Five tennis courts have been installed at the Samseong-dong retention basin in Deogyang-gu and the Kintex retention basin in Daehwa-dong, Ilsanseo-gu, receiving a positive response from local sports enthusiasts.

This year, Seongseok-dong in Ilsandong-gu and Haengju-dong in Deogyang-gu have been selected as new sites. Seongseok-dong will feature a multi-purpose court and auxiliary facilities, while Haengju-dong will have two pickleball courts, a sport that has recently surged in popularity. Construction at both locations will begin in the first half of this year, and the facilities will open to the public within the year.

Tennis court utilizing Yusuji at Daehwa-dong Kintex. Provided by Goyang Special City

The city plans to expand sports spaces within residential areas through the creation of sports facilities on idle land, addressing imbalances in community sports infrastructure across different regions. Additional benefits are expected, including urban beautification, revitalization of local communities, and crime prevention, as these facilities serve as hubs for civic activity.

To promote community sports, Goyang City is expanding public infrastructure. The Tanhyeon Sports Center, to be built in Tanhyeon-dong, Ilsanseo-gu, will have one basement floor and three above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 3,953 square meters. It will feature a swimming pool, a multi-purpose gymnasium, and a cafe. Construction is underway with the goal of completion in May 2027.

The Baekseok National Sports Center, being built in Baekseok-dong, Ilsandong-gu, will have one basement floor, three above-ground floors, and a total floor area of 2,151 square meters. Construction is scheduled for completion in January 2027, and the center will include a multi-purpose gymnasium with 200 spectator seats. Once completed, the facility will be available for use together with the existing badminton court and outdoor soccer field, which is expected to greatly increase satisfaction among local residents.

Aerial view of Tanhyeon Sports Center. Provided by Goyang Special City

In addition, the Wonheung Complex Cultural Center, to be built in Wonheung-dong, Deogyang-gu, will have two basement floors, four above-ground floors, and a total floor area of 7,470 square meters. It will feature sports facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and fitness center, as well as a library, serving as a community social overhead capital (SOC) facility. Scheduled for completion in March 2027, it is expected to improve the local sports environment and provide diverse cultural spaces.

Furthermore, the Lifelong Learning Center and Comprehensive Welfare Dream Center for the Disabled, currently under construction in Haengsin-dong, Deogyang-gu, will have two basement floors, seven above-ground floors, and a total floor area of 9,387 square meters, with construction targeted for completion in April 2027. The facility will include spaces for lifelong education, welfare for the disabled, and business tenants, as well as public amenities such as a swimming pool and multi-purpose gymnasium that can be used by both disabled and non-disabled residents.

Goyang Special City is not only expanding community sports facilities but also working to improve the environment by renovating aging facilities. In April, outdated lighting at Goyang Sports Town, home to the national baseball team stadium, will be replaced, and artificial turf and auxiliary facilities at Jungsan Sports Park will be upgraded in the first half of the year. Additionally, insulation and flooring work at the Jeongbalsan, Jungsan, and Pungdong badminton courts will be carried out sequentially to further improve these sports facilities.

Baekseok National Sports Center construction site. Provided by Goyang Special City

Mayor Lee Donghwan of Goyang Special City stated, "Community sports are essential infrastructure directly linked to the health of our citizens. We will continue to strive to create an environment where more people can exercise in their daily lives and improve their quality of life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.