Reference code(s) : MO/AH/AC/SA/01/18209、MO/AH/AC/SA/01/20215、MO/AH/AC/SA/01/22486
The first proposal for the construction of a modern swimming pool meeting hygiene standards was made by Pedro Correia de Barros, government representative to the Macao School Fund, on 29 May 1941. The proposal, which suggested building a standard swimming pool measuring 70 feet by 30 feet in front of the premise of Macao School Fund with a pump house and purification system, was attached with a quotation from Jardine Engineering Corporation, Limited for the construction works as well as the supply and installation of the system. However, the proposal was shelved due to the Macao government’s concern about the risk of war, especially after Hong Kong was occupied by Japanese troops on 25 December 1941.
In the early 1950's, the Municipal Council of Macao commissioned the project of municipal swimming pool to Alvares & Associated Architectural and Civil Engineering Firm in Hong Kong which completed the design plan of the swimming pool in April 1950. For the commencement of the construction works, the Municipal Council of Macao applied to the Postal Savings Office (Caixa Económica Postal) on 20 April for a loan of five hundred thousand Patacas ($500,000.00). The application was approved on 24 April 1950. Eventually, the contract for the construction of the municipal swimming pool was awarded at eight hundred thousand Patacas ($800,000.00) and the groundbreaking took place on 28 May 1950.
The inauguration ceremony of the municipal swimming pool, which was officiated by Madam Margarida Guerra Junqueiro Saramento Rodrigues, spouse of the Minister of Overseas Territories of Portugal, was held in the morning of 19 June 1952.
As described in the Industrial and Commercial Yearbook of Macao (Anuário Industrial e Comercial de Macau) in 1962: The municipal swimming pool, also called "San Fá Un Swimming Pool", which was built by the Municipal Council of Macao is located in an area known as "San Fá Un". Inaugurated in the summer of 1952, the swimming pool was built at a cost of over one million Patacas. It is of the highest standard in the Far East and can accommodate up to thousands of audience. Equipped with an advanced purification system, the swimming pool is open every summer and is managed by a private company. Auxiliary facilities in the complex include a children's swimming pool, a tuck shop and a dancing hall.”
To tie in with the gaming concession contract awarded by the Macao government to Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment (Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau or STDM) in Lisbon, Portugal on 30 March 1962, the Municipal Council of Macao entered into a contract with STDM in April 1963 for the lease of the municipal swimming pool. Under the contract, STDM was given the right to manage the swimming pool and its auxiliary facilities, as well as renovate the complex for gaming and entertainment uses with effect from September 1962.