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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As regards the first part, construction work started in April this year. The Jockey Club's project architect has reported that good progress has been made and that, the whole redevelopment project should be completed on schedule by April 1994.
As regards the second part, in July the Council approved the appointment of a consultant to advise on the options for the operation and management of the Stadium.
As agreed by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, a small Core Group under CUC's Chairmanship, will study the consultant's report and make recommendations to the full Council.
MR. WONG SHUI-LAI (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a follow-up question. The Hong Kong Stadium is scheduled to be completed and commissioned by April 1994. Within such a short period of time, do we have adequate time to decide how to manage the stadium?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—In fact, Mr. WONG SHUI-LAI'S concern is also the concern of the Jockey Club, the Recreation and Culture Branch and the USD. That's why the SCWC has decided to have a small core group to be chaired by the CUC comprising 5 to 6 members to study the consultant's report as soon as possible and then decide on how to manage the stadium and what management company should be selected to do the job.
3.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):—
(a) I had been asked by some Chai Wan residents whether the children play area(s) in the New Chai Wan Park which are already built could be opened this year before the Park proper, especially the one across to road from the main Park?
(b) I refer to the previous answer to my question that all water pools will be enclosed with fencing to prevent accident. However I find at this stage, that it was not so, when will the same be carried out?
(c) Previously, I was also informed that there will be a bicycle path round the outside of the park, however, this seems not yet to have been started—why?
(d) I am still concerned about the security measures of the new Park. In particular, how many security guards will be deployed?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—The answers to Mr. BERNACCHI'S questions concerning the new Chai Wan Park are as follows.
There are six children's play areas in the Park. Four were opened on 30 September and the remaining two should be opened by the end of October after completion of some minor works.
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At the June meeting I advised that, to deter any encroachment, railings would be provided at the waterfall, and planters placed at the periphery of the water channels. This work has now been completed. There are other water features (e.g. ornamental pools, model boating pool) where such extra measures are not provided because there is no inherent danger.
The proposed cycling ground will be located at Yee Shing Lane which is a short distance from the park. Construction work is scheduled to commence in mid-1993 and will take about twelve months to complete.
Since the end of September three security guards have been deployed during the day time at weekends and public holidays and four guards are on duty each night. During the day time departmental staff are also deployed to manage the park. This is an open park and the Police have also been invited to patrol inside the park.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—Mr. Chairman, first of all I perhaps would like to make a statement of course. I asked the question on the 22 September, being a member of the Urban Council tour to Canada and the USA. Hence, I did not then know the opening of the four of the six children's play areas. But I would like to know why the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee says that there is no extra measures provided for the ornamental and model boat pools because there is no inherent danger? Surely there is inherent danger in the case of small children.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in English):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is mainly because of the depth of the water which is not very deep. If Mr. BERNACCHI refers to the answer I gave at the last open meeting, the water depth has been reduced to 400 mm which is a very safe depth as far as children are concerned.
4.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):-
(a) Residents of Walton Estate/Winner Centre complained again of the bad smell emitting from the vicinity round the Chai Wan Temporary Market, caused (they think) by illegal hawking, especially during hot sunny days. Why is this allowed to continue?
(b) Apparently also, the sanitation of this vicinity is worse than before and now even wooden boxes are left behind by illegal hawkers to stake out the 'site' for the next time they hawk there! What is the Department doing about this?
(c) Does the Urban Services Department know whether there are triad elements amongst these hawkers? If so, what extent, and is it known whether these 'bad elements' are local or come from other districts to hawk there?
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