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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-In fact, we laid down many rules for the staging of Thai kick boxing competitions. For example, the organizers were required to follow international regulations by adhering to protective measures such as wearing of gloves, protective cup etc. We asked that international regulations be strictly followed in order to reduce risks to the minimum. So, I can say that these are in two different categories. Thai kick boxing and boxing have always been international games. Boxing is actually an Olympic game. Bungy jumping is a new type of activity and the risk is relatively high.
(1) MR. ERIC WONG CHUNG-KI asked the following question (in Cantonese): Recently, the Urban Council has expressed different views on whether concerts should be staged at the Hong Kong Stadium. Councillors have also proposed various remedial measures. A suggestion is that the Council may construct a retractable roof in addition to the existing cover of the Stadium so as to reduce the noise nuisance caused to residents during concerts. Has the Council ever considered the feasibility of this suggestion? And what is the estimated cost and time for undertaking the construction works?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG STADIUM BOARD OF GOVERNORS, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-The Urban Council, through the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Stadium, has considered a number of ways to resolve the noise problems arising from the holding of concerts at the Hong Kong Stadium. The possibility of building a retractable roof for the Stadium was considered by the Board of Governors at its meeting on 6 January 1995. The representatives of a consortium of contractors and structural engineers proposed to install sound-absorbent panels on the underside of the existing roof in conjunction with post-tensioned steel panels stacked at the north and south sides which could be hydraulically raised to form a weatherproof ceiling for the venue. The consortium believed that this design could contain noise emission from the Stadium.
The initial estimates submitted by the consortium for building a retractable roof with a naturally ventilated structure and an air-conditioned structure (i.e. full enclosure of the Stadium) were $220 million and $450 million respectively. The time required for construction of these structures could not be estimated until after a full assessment had been made.
In view of the substantial financial implications, the Board of Governors decided to withhold the proposal for providing a retractable roof at the Stadium until after other options have been considered.
MR. ERIC WONG CHUNG-KI (in Cantonese):-Will the Board of Governors consider proposals for other installations in order to reduce disturbance to residents in the vicinity caused by noise?
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