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project is being built and is expected to be completed in August 1977, to be immediately followed by the construction of the superstructure, the working drawings for which have already been completed. It is estimated that the project will be completed by the end of 1978.
As regards the Hung Hom Indoor Stadium, the seating capacity is approximately 13,000. A roofing contract has been let. Working drawings for the superstructure are in hand and it is expected that a contract will be let later this year.
The estimated completion date of the project is late 1980.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese):-I heard Mr. Lo mentioned that, in November last year, his committee decided on building a larger stadium in Hong Kong. I would like to ask that since Hong Kong is an industrial port, does Mr. Lo think that we should have a larger stadium than the one we have?
MR. LO (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I entirely agree with Dr. HUANG. We do need and we confidently expect to have a larger stadium, a much larger stadium than the one we have at present.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese):-Could Mr. Lo say that after a decision has been reached, could the Public Works Department expedite their work?
MR. LO (in English):—I should certainly be pleased to do so, Mr. Chairman.
MR. F. K. HU (in English):-This matter was discussed in 1976. What was the capacity the Council had in mind for this construction?
MR. LO (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the capacity was of the order of about 50,000.
MR. HU (in English):-Mr. Lo said that this matter is subject to the Government's final decision. This project is a Government-financed project. Could Mr. Lo clarify when a final decision of the Government can be expected?
MR. LO (in English):—Mr. Chairman, as Mr. Hu has pointed out, it is the Government who will pay and therefore it is up to Government to give the final word to go ahead and to pay the money for the project.
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Mr. Hu (in English):-Has the Government confirmed that they will go ahead with the project? Have they re-confirmed their commitment?
MR. LO (in English):-Mr. Chairman, my understanding is yes.
(3) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English):
(a) What progress is being made in reclamation and other site preparation for the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex, and what is the current construction schedule for each of the component buildings?
(b) Has any delay occurred in demolition of the defunct KCR Railway Station; and what action is the Council taking to serve the public interest by the earliest possible construction of a new City Auditorium and Museum on this site?
MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
This question concerns progress on the construction of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex.
The first phase of the Cultural Complex is the construction of the Planetarium. The site is on available land. Piling has now been completed and work on the building itself is about to begin. The Planetarium building is due to be completed in late 1978.
The second phase of the Complex is the construction of the two auditoria and associated facilities. The site is partly on the newly vacated Kowloon-Canton Railway Station, partly on land to be reclaimed by the Mass Transit Authority and partly on land to be reclaimed by the Government is in Category A of the Public Works Programme. The work also involves diversion of existing underground and cross-harbour services and site clearance including the demolition of the old Kowloon-Canton Railway Station. The reclamation work is expected to be completed by the end of 1979.
The construction of the auditoria building is in Category B of the Public Works Programme. This will be undertaken in two stages. Stage I is the construction of the smaller