The small township of Baozhong in Yunlin County, Taiwan, is on the verge of a transformation that speaks volumes about community resilience, demographic shifts, and the power of public participation. Once home to a long-abandoned public swimming pool, the site is now being reborn as a modern Recreation and Daycare Center—a project that has weathered its fair share of storms and delays but is finally nearing completion, according to reporting from Liberty Times and United Daily News.
For a township with just 11,565 residents, Baozhong faces a demographic challenge that is increasingly common across rural Taiwan: more than a quarter of its population—2,904 people, or 25.11%—are aged 65 or older. This stark statistic has driven local authorities to rethink how public spaces are used and to prioritize resources for elderly care. As Township Mayor Chen Jianming put it, "There is a great need for more daycare resources."
Five years ago, township officials began planning to repurpose the idle swimming pool, which had sat unused for years. The vision was ambitious: a two-story, 150-ping (about 496-square-meter) facility that could serve as both a hub for elderly care and a flexible space for community needs. The project quickly gained traction, with legislative support from Liu Jianguo, who helped secure a subsidy of 38.86 million NTD from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Additional funding came from the county government (2.15 million NTD) and the township’s own coffers (19.45 million NTD), bringing the total investment to over 60 million NTD.
Yet, as with many public works, the road to realization was anything but smooth. The original construction was slated to begin in March 2022, but the global surge in material prices and a contractor’s inability to shoulder the costs led to a breach of contract and a halt in progress. After a period of uncertainty and a new round of bidding, construction finally resumed in April 2024. Now, after "a series of twists and turns," as United Daily News described, the building is set to be completed by the end of September 2025, with an official opening planned for next year.
The first floor of the new center is earmarked for a daycare facility, which will be operated by a medical institution or relevant organization under an outsourcing model. This space will provide daytime care for up to 30 elderly residents—a much-needed service in a township where the senior population is both large and growing. The proximity of the center to local schools and kindergartens adds another layer of community integration. As noted by United Daily News, "The daycare center will be closely connected with the nearby elementary school and kindergarten, integrating childcare and education."
But it’s the second floor of the building that has become a focal point for community engagement and debate. With a range of possibilities on the table—including a health activity center, a public-private nursery for infants aged 0 to 2, a dementia community service station, and a multifunctional sports center—township leaders have chosen to put the decision directly in the hands of the people. Starting on September 17, 2025, Baozhong’s residents were invited to participate in a two-week online survey to select their preferred use for the space.
This approach, described by Social Affairs Section Chief Zeng Zhixian as "citizen participation," is more than just a nod to transparency; it’s an effort to ensure the new facility truly meets local needs. As Zeng explained, "The survey offers options such as a community care base, a public-private nursery, a dementia community service center, and a multifunctional sports center. The option with the most votes will be given priority consideration." To encourage robust participation, the township is offering more than 200 convenience store gift vouchers as incentives for survey respondents.
The integration of a nursery on the second floor has generated particular interest. If chosen, this facility could enroll infants from Baozhong and neighboring townships, leveraging its location adjacent to the township’s elementary and kindergarten to create a seamless "education corridor" from infancy through junior high. As United Daily News observed, "Establishing a nursery center here could form a continuous education and care zone, maximizing the new building’s potential." The township office has been clear, however, that the final decision will rest with the community: "The future usage will fully respect the opinions of all parties."
Community members and local representatives have also weighed in with their own suggestions, ranging from a fitness center to expanded spaces for social activities. The open survey is designed to capture this diversity of opinion, ensuring the final plan reflects the wishes of those who will use the facility most. As Mayor Chen Jianming emphasized, "We are widely collecting opinions from residents and representatives to make sure the center truly serves local needs."
Beyond its immediate impact, the project is emblematic of a larger trend in rural Taiwan, where aging populations and declining birthrates are forcing towns to adapt creatively. Repurposing underused or abandoned infrastructure—like the Baozhong swimming pool—into multi-functional community assets is becoming a model for sustainable development. It’s a reminder that, even in places facing population decline, there are opportunities to reimagine public spaces for new generations and new purposes.
The decision to involve residents directly in the planning process also reflects a growing emphasis on participatory governance. By giving people a real say in how their tax dollars are spent and their neighborhoods are shaped, local governments can build trust and ensure that projects are not just top-down mandates but genuinely community-driven endeavors.
As Baozhong prepares to open its new Recreation and Daycare Center, the hope is that it will serve as both a physical and symbolic center for the township—a place where the needs of the elderly are met, families find support, and the community as a whole can come together. The journey from an abandoned pool to a vibrant hub of care and activity hasn’t been easy, but it’s one that residents and officials alike believe will pay dividends for years to come.
For now, all eyes are on the results of the public survey and the finishing touches on the building itself. If the level of engagement so far is any indication, Baozhong’s new center may soon become a blueprint for how small towns across Taiwan—and beyond—can turn challenges into opportunities, one community vote at a time.
