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THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPULSE BAY BEACH
The Provision of Amenities for Bathing and the Landscaping of the Vicinity
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General plan of the complete scheme. The buildings on the west side of the beach, outlined in solid lines, are to be proceeded with immediately. The three buildings set out in dotted lines are reserved for future construction.
The scheme for development of the bathing beach at Repulse Bay is in accordance with the terms of reference suggested by the Special Committee of the Urban Council who recommended in section 5 of their report that-
New Territories
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"it was decided to recommend that Government should construct public bathing pavilions on two main beaches on the Island and two in the New Territories, as follows:—
Hong Kong
Repulse Bay and Stanley Beaches Cafeteria Beach and one other to be decided later after a survey- on a bus route or easy of access. It was recommended that these pavilions should provide changing rooms with facilities for safe storage of bathers effects and with public showers. Cubicles which could be hired by the day by members of the public who preferred not to use the public rooms should also be included. To provide conveniences for all it is recommended that these cubicles, for which the charges would vary, should provide the following scales of accommodation:-
(1)-cubicles provided with pegs, table and chairs, with
access to public showers;
(2)—as in (1), but with the addition of a dressing room,
with access to public showers;
(3)—as in (2), but with the addition of a separate shower
room.
The Problem
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The beach at Repulse Bay was originally almost covered with about 90 Matsheds. They provided the maximum shed accommodation that was obtainable on the total area but the wide stretch of sand that should have been available for recreation and relaxation was restricted to an almost uncom- fortable degree.
The removal of the matsheds during the war has released this area of natural playground and this should now be preserved as far as possible against any future encroachment.
The
This will leave for building purposes a comparatively narrow strip of land running parallel with the road. erection of cabin accommodation on a site removed and separated from the beach was considered but rejected as
impractical owing to the steep contours of the hillside surrounding it. Neither would this be desirable, for the picnic almosphere which was so pleasantly possible in the old matsheds on the beach would be entirely lost.
The area for development is therefore somewhat restricted but this on the other hand will prevent the 'built up' effect which must be avoided if the natural beauty of the area is to be preserved.
The Plan
The type of accommodation to be provided is set forth in the recommendations of the Special Committee of the Urban Council and this has been obtained, with certain amendments, in the following buildings:-
1.
2. Communal changing pavilion
Administration Block
3.
Two Blocks containing cabins, changing rooms showers
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4. Two Blocks containing cabins, changing rooms and
combining private and communal showers.
Administration Block
The administration block forms the focal point of the scheme and is situated on the existing approach road. Here all money will be taken at the counter and tickets issued for the particular cubicle or dressing space let. A diagram on the wall behind the counter will show at a glance those cubicles already let and those still for sale so that new patrons may readily choose.
Communal Changing Pavilion
This building is divided into accommodation for men and women. It contains showers, lavatories and changing cubicles. Lockers are provided for 560 of each sex and clothes will be kept in these. In this way a great many more bathers can be accommodated with easier supervision than by providing many separate cubicles in which the clothes are kept.
The added amenity of being able to purchase soft drinks is catered for on the roof of the building where provision has been made for a certain amount of shade area with a small
ELEVATION ON TO BEACH ROAD
ELEVATION
ON TO SEA
A reproduction from the Architect's plans of the elevations of the buildings, the vertical lines are not an architectural feature but simply set out the cabin sections.
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