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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Hall No. 2 in Kowloon. These indoor games halls were selected because the ventilation in each of these venues was considered to be particularly poor.
In June 1989 the Council approved funds for the provision of air-conditioning to the main arenas in the three selected indoor games halls. The total cost for this work is about $12.42 million and the installation work is expected to be completed by March 1991.
In addition to the three selected indoor games halls, air-conditioning has also been provided in the new Kowloon Park Indoor Games Hall which will be opened soon.
Therefore, in March 1989, in anticipation of the installation of air-conditioning in the main arena of the new Kowloon Park Indoor Games Hall and in the three selected indoor games halls, the Council approved the hire charges for the use of the air-conditioned arenas. These are higher than for non-air-conditioned arenas because of the need to cover the increase in recurrent costs. To quote an example, the hire charge for use of an air-conditioned arena for basketball is $138 per hour as against $88 per hour for a non-air-conditioned arena.
The Council has also approved the provision of air-conditioning in the main arenas of some indoor games halls under planning. These include Hong Kong Park Indoor Games Hall, UC Sai Wan Ho Complex Indoor Games Hall, and UC Kwun Chung Complex Indoor Games Hall. Such indoor games halls are recommended to have air-conditioned main arenas because these sites are either surrounded by tall buildings which inhibit natural ventilation or by flyovers where the air quality is badly affected. Hence, provision of natural ventilation to the arenas is considered unsuitable even if supplemented by fans.
From the above it can be seen that the Council is well aware of the ventilation problem that exists at some indoor games halls. The pilot scheme for air-conditioning the arenas at the various indoor games halls mentioned above should give an indication of whether the general public welcome the installation of air-conditioning and of whether they are prepared to pay the increased hire charges for use of the air-conditioned arenas. If this scheme is well received by the public, the Council will consider the financial and technical feasibility of extending this scheme to other indoor games halls, possibly including To Kwa Wan Indoor Games Hall.
MR. DAVID FONG PUI-SHEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I am not asking for the provision of air-conditioning, but am only asking that the Department can try to improve the stuffiness and poor ventilation of the To Kwa Wan Indoor Games Hall.
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the improvement would imply not to rely on natural ventilation but rely on mechanical ventilation. For mechanical ventilation, the air in the vicinity must be reasonably clean. In this case because there are many factory buildings in the vicinity, the proposal would have to be looked at in depth. As regards the stuffiness in the main arena, I am sure the Department will continue to investigate the situation.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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11. MISS CHRISTINA TING YUK-CHEE asked the following question (in Cantonese):---Based on the current 'Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines' Chapter 4: Recreation-Sports Ground, Sports Complex and Recreation Ground; could this Council be informed as far as the Eastern District of Hong Kong is concerned, that the provision of sports grounds, sports complexes and recreation grounds has met with the Hong Kong Planning Standard?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-—Mr. Chairman, Miss TING asks to be informed that as far as the Eastern District of Hong Kong is concerned, whether the provision of sports grounds, sports complexes and recreation grounds has met with the Hong Kong Planning Standard.
Under the current Hong Kong Planning Standards & Guidelines, a sports ground is defined as an athletic venue for track and field events. Each sports ground requires a flat site of a minimum area of 3 ha. so as to accommodate an infield grassed area usable for higher level football matches, spectator accommodation for up to 10,000 people and running track of 400 m long and of all-weather construction. In cases where additional outdoor/indoor facilities such as tennis courts, basketball courts and squash courts are attached to or forming part of a sports ground, such facility is known as a sports complex. The current standard for provision of sports ground/sports complex is one per 0.2 to 0.25 million population. In terms of land use planning, a sports ground/complex is normally zoned GIC.
The existing population of Eastern District is 535,000. Upon full development, the population of the district will grow to 684,000. However, due to the lack of a site of suitable size and orientation in the district, there is not a sports ground/complex currently under planning in the district. Nevertheless, residents in the district are free to use other sports grounds such as the Wan Chai Sports Ground, the Aberdeen Sports Ground and the Hong Kong Stadium. [Usage rates of these sports grounds in the 1988/89 are 60%, 43% and 64% respectively.] Thus there is sufficient spare capacity to accommodate all current needs and room for expansion in the levels of activity.
There is no specific reference under the Town Planning Guidelines for the provisions of recreation grounds against population. A recreation ground is normally referred to as a mix of facilities including volleyball courts, soccer pitches, basketball courts, rest garden etc. In terms of land use planning, a recreation ground is normally zoned open space and is counted towards open space provision.
Under the current town planning standard, the Eastern District is entitled to 78.62 ha. of open space and the actual provision at present is 57.63 ha.
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