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(c) The present stadium running track appears to be badly worn and is no longer suitable for athletics in bad weather; is it possible to replace it with a new all-weather one?
(d) If it is not possible to provide a new track, is there any way to make improvements in the short term?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-The first part of the question enquires about the current utilization of the Mong Kok Stadium. The Stadium is at present heavily used. From October 1981 to February 1982, the usage rate was 87.5%. The usage rate from March 1982 to July 1982 is expected to be 84.2%. The overall average usage rate is estimated to be about 85.9%.
The second part of the question asks whether it is possible to erect a roof over the spectator stands of the Mong Kok Stadium. The Principal Government Architect has advised that the existing spectator stand at the Mong Kok Stadium cannot support a concrete roof. However, it may be possible to construct a light roof resting on cantilever beams and supported by steel columns planted on the ground behind the spectator stands. A study will have to be undertaken to determine the technical feasibility of this project. The Urban Services Department will then examine the merits of such a proposal, and will make recommendations to the Recreation Select Committee.
The third part of the question concerns the current state of repair of the running track at the Mong Kok Stadium and the possibility of replacing it by an all-weather track. The present running track at the Mong Kok Stadium is formed by a porous surfacing material called 'Nortex', which is made from crushed dolomite. This is not an all-weather running track, but it is maintained in a good state of repair. The existing stock of 'Nortex' material will last for at least another five years before it is used up. Unless there is cogent evidence that it can no longer serve its purpose satisfactorily, it is difficult to justify the substantial expenditure needed to replace it with an all-weather track at present.
The last part of the question concerns short-term improvement measures to the present running track at the Mong Kok Stadium. Normally the surface of the running track requires remedial work after an athletic event and the field staff at the Mong Kok Stadium carry out the following routine maintenance work to prepare the track for the next user:-
(i) raking and brushing the track surface;
(ii) adding an adequate quantity of 'Nortex' material to the track;
(iii) rolling the track surface;
(iv) watering the track surface; and
(v) marking the lanes.
This maintenance work is carried out on a regular basis to keep the track in a satisfactory state of repair. No other improvement measures appear necessary.
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MISS YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I want to ask a supplementary question. Mr. LO has mentioned that recently, the usage rate is very high, but with so many spectators, I think it is quite necessary to have a roof. As for the suggestion that he has talked about, i.e. a light shelter, I think he should consider this. About the track, he has told us that the material called 'Nortex' is maintained in a very good state of repair. I am in doubt of this because I have heard complaints about it. Some people have to change the time of events or competitions because the running track is not very well maintained. Since the usage rate of the running track is very high, I doubt whether the staff are frequently maintaining it. I am doubtful if there is no necessity whatsoever to improve or change the whole running track. He has told us that it is very easy to add an adequate quantity of 'Nortex' material to the track, but I am doubtful of this because some competitions are delayed due to the poor condition of the track.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Miss YEUNG, do you want the Chairman to clarify on this?
MR. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, on the first part of Miss YEUNG'S supplementary concerning the construction of the roof of the spectator stand, I have already said in my reply that we will be going into the technical feasibility of this. It may not, in fact, be possible to construct the metal supports outside the stadium stand and extending over it. In many cases, it may be fairly expensive, but we will certainly go into it. On the next part of the question concerning the track, were we to build a new track, we will not probably use 'Nortex'. We use a new tartan track which is certainly better. The question is whether with the 5 years' supply of material still available, we are justified in digging it up and building another new track. I believe the new track with the use of the best material available would be something of the order of $3m, certainly with the 'Nortex' track not being an all-weather track, there will be days when, after rain, it would not be useable.
7. MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question (in English):-
(a) How many factory canteens have been licensed in Kwun Tong since canteens were required to be licensed?
(b) How many new canteens have been opened, and how many old ones have been, or will have to be, closed because they cannot conform with licensing conditions?
(c) How many workers are served by existing canteens? Can comparative figures be given for the pre-licensing situation?
(d) What is the time lapse between 'Operation Torch', and the provision of new cooked food bazaars?
(e) How many cooked food stalls will be involved in 'Operation Torch' and approximately how many workers will thereby be deprived of lunch time facilities?
THE HONOURABLE MARIA W. C. Tam, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):---This question relates to the
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