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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, replied as follows (In English):
This question concerns the Boundary Street and Hong Kong Stadia.
In respect of the Boundary Street Stadium all immediate structural improvements and modifications have been completed to enable it to be used for any type of event, including First Division football matches, where admission fees would be charged. The Stadium is already used both in the day-time and at night. New stadia regulations required consequent upon the upgrading of this ground to Stadium status have been drafted along the lines of those which existed for the Hong Kong Stadium. These will shortly be placed before the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee and, thereafter, the Whole Council.
There may be a short delay in operating this Stadium as such under the new arrangements until all administrative and training arrangements have been finalized. However, it is anticipated that the Stadium will be fully operational with effect from the beginning of September of this year, and bookings will be accepted in advance for the season following from a date to be announced.
In respect of the Hong Kong Stadium, a programme of major improvements including extensive repair work is being prepared. As works of this nature are likely to require at least twelve to eighteen months to complete, a start on all the works is not contemplated until the Ho Man Tin Stadium has been completed in 1975 or 1976. However, the phasing of some of these works to avoid such lengthy periods of closure is being considered. In conjunction with the opening of the Boundary Street Stadium, and with careful planning utilising all other existing facilities to the fullest extent, it may be possible to accomplish much of the work without any major disruption.
MR. F. K. HU (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I need some clarification on the Hong Kong Stadium. Can I have the assurance that no work of any nature which may cause disruption to the use of the Hong Kong Stadium will be carried out until the Ho Man Tin Stadium is ready for use?
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MR. Lo (In English):-Mr. Chairman, that is the intention. Some of the work may be started before the other stadium is completed, but we do not intend to start any work which would disrupt the use of the Hong Kong Stadium as such.
MOTION
(1) MR. PETER P. K. NG, Chairman of the Entertainment and Advertising Select Committee, moved the following motion:
"RESOLVED that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 4A(1) of the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance, Cap. 172, the Council hereby classifies as suitable for the presentation of entertainments in the nature of performances, exhibitions and contests the following places of public entertainment, the management and control of which are vested in the Council by the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132 and on which there are or may be buildings, erections, or structures of a temporary or permanent nature capable of accommodating the public and which the Building Authority and the Director of Fire Services have examined and raised no objection:
now
(1) All Public Pleasure Grounds and Bathing Beaches or hereafter to be included in the Fourth Schedule to the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance;
(2) All stadia now or hereafter to be included in the Twelfth Schedule to the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance;
(3) All Public Swimming Pools now or hereafter to be included in the Fourteenth Schedule to the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance; and
(4) The City Hall at Connaught Road Central included in the Thirteenth Schedule to the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance."
He said (In English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Entertainments and Advertising Select Committee I rise to move the Motion standing in my name.
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