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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
we were given the allocation and made plans to build a complex and other recreational facilities.
swimming pool
However, before these plans could be carried out, we had the influx of refugees and the site is now being used as a refugee camp. I wish to make clear that I do not in any way blame Government for using the former military camp for this purpose. In all the circumstances and faced with the sudden emergency, I do not see what else they could have done. Nevertheless, it is disappointing, that the building of recreational facilities, for which there is a crying need, has to be postponed indefinitely. The Shumshuipo District is woefully short of recreational facilities and will remain so until the camp can be released.
All the same, I am pleased to say that some progress has been made. In January last year, the Wanchai Sports Ground was completed. This is a first-class sporting arena, good enough for mounting athletics competitions at international level. There is an electronic scoreboard and other electronic equipment which can provide precision timing and photo finish records. Since its completion, this sports ground has attracted a good deal of comment and criticism, not all of which were favourable. Personally, I welcome comments and criticism from the public, even if they are adverse. It shows that the public is interested in these facilities and has the effect of keeping the Council on its toes.
There was a criticism that the track surface was not suitable. In fact, it is a Tartan all-weather track which is considered a fast track. There were some teething problems in that some athletes were using the older, longer type of running spikes which were not suitable for this particular surface. If the special shorter spikes are used, then the problem disappears.
We were also criticized for not using the sports ground sufficiently, and instead allowing it to stand idle for long periods. I must make it clear that this sports ground is not just an ordinary sports ground. It is intended to be Hong Kong's venue for international, regional, and international athletic events. We must not use it to such an extent that facilities there will deteriorate. However, we certainly intend to use it as much as possible, provided the high standard of facilities is not put at risk. Naturally, we started out cautiously but we will review the situation and broaden the usage if this is considered possible. I can assure everyone who is interested that we are not going to allow such a fine facility to stand idle unnecessarily.
During the year, the first indoor games hall on Hong Kong Island was completed at Aberdeen, with the help of a generous donation from Sir Y.K. PAO. Further games halls are planned at Chai Wan and also in the Wanchai Recreational Centre. The latter will be larger and more elaborate than the usual indoor games hall. It will be built on stilts with as many as seven squash courts on the lower ground floor, including an exhibition court. When finished, it will be the main public squash centre in Hong Kong. However,
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Victoria Park, which has been the main centre up to now, has not been forgotten, and another two squash courts will be built there.
A new tennis facility is also being built at Wongneichong Gap, where seventeen courts and two practice walls will be provided. This should be completed next summer and will be the biggest tennis facility in Hong Kong. In fact, I think it will be the biggest for the foreseeable future. Though somewhat remote from the main centre of population, there are a number of bus routes which pass the site. There are also parking facilities in the vicinity, including a few at the tennis centre itself. While we would prefer to build active recreational facilities in, or close to, heavily built-up areas, this is not always possible, as we all know. In any case, I am sure tennis enthusiasts will manage to find their way there when the courts are ready.
At present, the Council has, at Morse Park, one football pitch with artificial turf. This has proved satisfactory after usage, although players have complained of burning caused by sliding on the surface. The Council has decided to go ahead with a phased programme of providing more such pitches. The cost is high. The one which we already have cost over $1 million. Nevertheless, I believe that in the long run, this is worthwhile. Natural grass simply cannot stand up to the amount of heavy usage expected. Hockey enthusiasts will be interested to know that we intend to provide this type of surface for the hockey pitch at King's Park. Artificial turf is particularly suitable for hockey, as it provides a true, even surface, and unlike football, hockey players would not normally fall and slide on the pitch.
Swimming continues to be as popular as ever in summer, though for some reason, the attendances at the Urban Council's swimming pools last year showed a slight decrease as compared to 1978. This may be due to the colder, wetter weather we experienced, and I am sure that attendance figures will go up rather than down in the future. A major swimming pool complex, including Hong Kong's International Pool, is planned for Kowloon Park in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. In addition, another swimming pool complex is being constructed in Chai Wan and should be completed in the summer.
As regards the beaches, our main concern is for the facilities at Repulse Bay, which at present are clearly inadequate. For this area, Government has been considering a comprehensive plan for development for some time, in fact, for years. A number of different departments are concerned, and progress has been slow. From time to time, we hear of the comprehensive report, but up to now, my Committee has not had a chance to study it. Nevertheless, we cannot wait indefinitely, and plans are in hand for the construction of a new beach building at Repulse Bay. This will be built and sited in such a way as not to conflict with the comprehensive plan. The beach building will be much larger than the usual type seen at other beaches. Even so, it will not be totally adequate, but at least will do something until the full plan can be put into effect. Normally, the transport situation on public holidays in the summer in the Repulse Bay area is chaotic. The road system there was
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