NAAFI CLUB-KOWLOON
The NAAFI Club-looking along Chatham Road.
The amusement of the troops stationed in Hong Kong and the provision of recreational facilities has been the subject of a great deal of planning on the part of military authorities, and civilian association whose members are anxious to assist in making the servicemen's stay in Hong Kong as pleasant as possible. As a result of this organized effort ample facilities for sports and outdoor recreation have been provided. How- ever, it was recognized that, in order to keep servicemen out
"Other Ranks" Cafe.
of restaurants, bars and other establishments where the ser- vice rendered is of an extremely doubtful quality and the quantity commensurate with the number of dollars that could be prised loose from the patron, some sort of establishment combining the functions of bar, restaurant, canteen and club would have to be provided where the soldier and sailor could spend his off-duty hours, particularly in the evenings, amidst pleasant surroundings and congenial companionship.
As is generally known, the Navy, Army & Air Force Institute (NAAFI) is the unique organization which caters for the needs of the British servicemen in far climes, but its usefulness is sometimes curtailed by lack of suitable premises.
To overcome this difficulty, last year extensive huts were built on Murray Parade Ground which took care of the needs of the men stationed on the Island. And now, additional club amenities have been provided on the Kowloon side as, with the generous co-operation of the local authorities, a pleasing site was obtained on Chatham_Road, conveniently near the busy Nathan Road and the Star Ferry. The amenities provided for in this new building include a library, table tennis room, billiard room, gift shop, barber shop, lounge, restaurant, cafe and tavern.
From a construction point of view, this establishment is of considerable interest since it is almost entirely composed of a series of 35-span Nissen huts with Vi-Con block gabled walls, and masonry fireplaces and chimney breasts. The ribs are anchored to brick dwarf walls by special mild steel anchor bars built into the concrete piers.
The roof slab over the bay windows are supported by special vibrated reinforced concrete dormer cheeks which are shown in detail on one of the photographs. All floors are on fill and are reinforced with BRC Fabric.
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Perspective drawing and detailed plan, showing the arrangement of the Nissen Huts into the various units.
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ATIAL CAREY