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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, may I call the meeting to order.
## MINUTES
The minutes of meeting held on 8 September 1992 were confirmed.
## PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of September 1992.
## QUESTIONS
1.
MR. WONG SHUI-LAI on behalf of MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT asked the following question (in Cantonese):—What is the progress of the Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground Project? Is there any modification? What is the reason for the modification? If such is the case, will it affect what we have promised the public and organizations concerned and their interests? Will the effect be slight or serious? How can the Council improve the situation?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):—
The answers to Mr. Joseph CHAN's questions about Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground are as follows:
The Department is now working on two aspects. First, the preparation of a schedule of accommodation. This will also be required to facilitate consultation with the Eastern District Board. Secondly, the reservation of a site.
As regards the site, the Department is in very close contact with the Director of Planning. He is very well aware of the Urban Council's main concerns which are that:
(a) the project should be ready for use by early 1996;
(b) the facility must accommodate 12,000 spectators; and
(c) the use of the sports ground must not be adversely affected by extraneous factors, such as the refuse transfer station and strong winds.
The Chairman of the Urban Council has also written to the Chief Secretary to emphasise the importance of the points outlined above.
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Against this background, we must now await the Government's response. In accordance with the usual arrangements, the Department will make regular reports to the Recreation Select Committee.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, allow me to ask a question. In his policy address, the Governor mentioned that powers have to be delegated to District Boards especially with regard to important projects. I want to know should there be divergence of views between UC members and DB members concerning the Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground Project, what shall we do?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I think the Governor's policy address only contains proposals. As to how they are to be implemented, they have to be considered by the Departments concerned. Therefore, I am unable to answer Mr. Man's question.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-The question asks the progress of the project, so I think your question has diverged quite substantially from the question.
MR. WONG SHUI-LAI (in Cantonese):―Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have got two follow-up questions. First, I think everyone knows that the Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground Project is to meet the needs of the school sports as the Hong Kong Stadium is at present not able to provide a track for athletics. So I just want to know whether we have been in contact with the people in the field of school sports. To whom are we contacted and what are their views on the site? My second question is: it has to be completed in 1996, as far as the timing is concerned, can we really meet the deadline?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-Regarding Mr. WONG's first question as to whether the school sector has been consulted or not, as far as I understand, the availability of the site has not yet been confirmed because there are two possible sites in Siu Sai Wan. We are not sure which one will be finally chosen. So we have not been in touch with the school sector. If Mr. WONG thinks that at this stage we should get into contact with the school sector and consult them, then I will ask the Department to follow up. As regards the second question as to whether we can really complete the project by early 1996 and commission the sports ground, I can tell you that the progress is smooth and we aim to meet the target.
2.
MR. WONG SHUI-LAI on behalf of MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT asked the following question (in Cantonese):-What is the progress of the Hong Kong Stadium Redevelopment Project? What is our new plan for the management of the Stadium?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question is in two parts. First, what is the progress of the Hong Kong Stadium Redevelopment Project? Second, what is the Council's plan for the management of the Stadium?
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