Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop Visits Bitgoeul Senior Health Town to 'Gather Opinions'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, visited Bitgoeul Senior Health Town on the third day of the ‘Special Week for the Elderly to Overcome COVID-19’ to listen to on-site opinions necessary for creating local senior leisure culture and welfare.

According to Gwangju City on the 14th, Mayor Lee inspected the facilities of Bitgoeul Senior Health Town, some of which had been partially suspended due to COVID-19, and held a meeting with seniors, autonomous committee members, and operating committee members to hear about the current status of the town’s operation, difficulties, and suggestions regarding facility improvements.

Bitgoeul Senior Health Town has established itself as a hub for local senior leisure and welfare facilities, with an average of about 4,000 visitors per day before the COVID-19 situation. It operates various senior welfare programs such as lifelong education, functional recovery, welfare benefits, senior social activity support, volunteering, and specialized projects.

Currently, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some programs have been suspended, but communication continues through non-face-to-face participation programs via YouTube, and the opening of the Dream Tree Cafe in connection with the Gwangju Senior Senior Club to create senior jobs.

On this day, the seniors and committee members suggested ▲ renovation of outdated lighting and sound facilities in the performance hall for smooth progress of major welfare services such as performances, events, and exhibitions ▲ conversion of the gateball field, which is unusable depending on the season and weather due to lack of a roof, into an all-weather gateball field.

Mayor Lee said, “Despite repeated closures and partial openings of Bitgoeul Senior Health Town due to the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, it has become a strong support for local senior welfare by operating non-face-to-face programs to communicate with seniors and create jobs. We will fully reflect the suggestions received today and will not spare support for the healthy and happy old age of seniors in the era of 100 years.”

Meanwhile, Bitgoeul Senior Health Town plans to fully open on September 1 after considering the COVID-19 situation, preparing to ensure no inconvenience for seniors by creating a life-close forest (garden) within the town, replacing the gym floor, renovating the swimming pool, and maintaining outdoor facilities such as benches.

On the last day of the Elderly Week, the 15th, Mayor Lee plans to visit institutions performing senior customized care services and the homes of seniors using the services to hear various opinions.

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