LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
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Building Development - Public Sector
The Architectural Services Department is a multi-disciplinary organisation having responsibility for providing technical advice on building related matters to government departments; financial and project management of public building developments under the Public Works Programme and for monitoring public expenditure on subvented building projects financed by Government. The department provides professional design services for Government, Urban and Regional Council buildings; and maintenance management services for buildings owned or occupied by Government, Urban and Regional Councils, subvented schools and the British Forces in Hong Kong.
During 1991-2, the department had under study, design and construction over 700 projects valued at $39 billion. In addition, the value of subvented projects monitored by the department amounted to $11 billion. Work valued at $5.8 billion was carried out on building projects undertaken or monitored by the department. Expenditure on main- tenance and minor alteration works to Government, Urban Council, Regional Council, Hospital Authority, Subvented Schools and British Forces properties amounted to $0.8 billion.
In the 12 month period to March 1992 tender prices dropped by about 15 per cent primarily due to market forces. On the other hand, over the same period, labour and basic material costs rose by 10 per cent and three per cent respectively.
The department is in the preliminary stages of the design of government facilities for the new airport at Chek Lap Kok. At the Kai Tak Airport passenger terminal the refurbishment programme and the transport terminus improvements were completed in August and September 1992 respectively. Part of the south apron development project of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force Headquarters was completed in August 1992.
Under the Airport Core Projects programme, Phase I of the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Market commenced in April 1992 and will be completed in September 1993. In conjunction with the second phase it will provide Kowloon and the New Territories with an integrated wholesale market facility.
The Western Wholesale Market, Phase II, at Kennedy Town is also currently under construction and will be completed by April 1994.
Various other market complexes and sports and recreational facilities were completed during the year for the Urban Council including Chai Wan Park and Electric Road Market Complex. Construction started in 1992 included the largest indoor games hall to be built in Hong Kong (on the Western Reclamation) as well as various other facilities.
The Regional Council increased its provision of public facilities with the completion of the Shatin Leisure Pool Complex, the Tai Po Sports Ground and indoor recreation centres at Fanling and Cheung Chau. Construction commenced on an air-conditioned market complex in Shek Wu Hui and two air-conditioned indoor recreation centres in Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan.
Medical and health projects completed during the year included the Pamela Youde Hospital at Chai Wan, the Block B extension to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, improvement works to Tsan Yuk Hospital and the Nurses Training School and staff quarters associated with the Pamela Youde Hospital.
During the year work commenced on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital refurbishment due for completion in 1996. Piling work was completed on the Wong Chuk Hang complex for the elderly and overall completion is expected in 1994. Other hospital projects under