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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The usage rate with regard to the only indoor heated pool operated by Council, which is at Morrison Hill, is quite encouraging. The average attendance is about 850 persons per day in December, January and February.
But usage rate at Council's outdoor heated pools was so disappointing that from 1984 onwards it was decided to open only Lai Chi Kok outdoor heated pool to the public during the winter months. Average attendance at Lai Chi Kok from December through February is some 300 persons per day.
The second part of the question asks whether outdoor heated pools would attract more swimmers in the winter months if weather-proof covers were provided.
The answer to this question is almost certainly 'yes'. And for this reason the Urban Services Department, in consultation with the Architectural Services Department, has initiated a feasibility study into the possibility of erecting a retractable roof structure at Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool. It is expected that this study will be completed in early 1987 and that, in the event of Council deciding to go ahead with installation, the roof structure could be installed and ready for use by early 1989.
However, Council will be pleased to know that the new Kowloon Park Swimming Pool Complex, which is tentatively scheduled to be completed in early 1989, will also include an indoor heated swimming pool which it is expected would be open throughout the winter months for recreational use. This means that from 1989 onwards there will be an indoor winter swimming facility in Kowloon to complement the existing Morrison Hill facility on Hong Kong Island. Under these circumstances it will be very important to assess carefully public demand for winter swimming before making a decision to cover any existing outdoor pools.
4.
MR. SAMUEL WONG asked the following question (in English): The ice-skating plant located in the Hong Kong Coliseum was used rather infrequently in the past three years. Are there plans to improve its usage factor? Could the plant be converted into a semi-mobile installation so that it could be accommodated in our indoor games halls for more frequent use?
MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, Chairman of the Entertainment Select Committee, replied as follows (in Cantonese): This question is in two parts. The first concerns the usage rate of the ice skating plant of the Hong Kong Coliseum and the second whether it can be converted for use in indoor games halls.
As regards the first question, the ice-skating plant at the Hong Kong Coliseum was used for 45 days, 5 days and 24 days during the past three years, representing 22.4%, 3% and 10.2% of the total event days of those years. For 1987, the Coliseum has already secured a 34 day booking for an ice show and it is hoped that a comparable usage level can be achieved in subsequent years.
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The Hong Kong Coliseum is designed and built as a multi-purpose venue. It is therefore highly desirable that it should maintain a diversified usage. Unless future ice-skating activities fall into an unacceptably low level, there is no intention specifically to boost this particular type of activity at the Coliseum.
As regards the second question, the ice-skating system was tailor-made for the Hong Kong Coliseum with the refrigeration plant and piping system embedded in the arena floor. It is not suitable, therefore, for conversion into a semi-mobile system for use elsewhere.
5. THE HONOURABLE HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in Cantonese): I have received complaints that the printed type in books on classical works such as Shakespeare which are available on loan at Council libraries is often small and could be contributory to the various reasons why many Hong Kong students have to wear glasses; can the Libraries Select Committee look into this matter and see what should be done such as ordering such books in larger type?
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. Chan, Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, replied as follows (in Cantonese): This question concerns the print size of library books.
The Council's policy is to purchase publications of suitable print size for the average reader and large print books for the elderly. Library editions are purchased whenever they are available.
However, books in small print sometimes have to be bought for lack of a better alternative, to ensure that standard texts, which members of the public would expect to find in a library, are available.
Sometimes smaller print editions are also purchased along with editions of normal print size, to provide users with a choice. Some users prefer a compact volume containing more titles to numerous individual volumes. This is particularly so in the case of classical works.
For space reasons, it is obviously not possible to provide all of the various editions in every library, particularly the smaller libraries. However, other alternatives to what is provided in a particular library can usually be obtained through inter-library loans. Any one who has difficulty in finding a required book in a suitable format is welcome to approach the library staff for assistance. They would be only too happy to help.
THE HONOURABLE HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a question. If the print size is too small for some editions, you said that we can ask for assistance from the staff. What would they do and what sort of assistance would be given?
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