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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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That is the most important spirit supporting our strive for managing morning trails. The Urban Council should also promote morning trails for everyone to know about them. With these remarks, I so move.
MR. WU CHI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I second Mr. KAM Nai-wai's motion.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Mr. Kam, do you want to exercise the right of reply? No other speakers are in line. No? We now put the motion to vote. Those in favour please raise your hands. Will the Secretary help please?
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
(8) MR. FRANCIS Tang Chi-ho moved the following motion:
'Since the non-occupation rate of Indoor Games Halls (IGHS) under this Council normally exceeds 50% during off-peak hours in weekdays, RESOLVED that this Council should consider letting schools and non-profit-making voluntary organizations use the unbooked pitches in IGHS free of charge during the off-peak hours with a view to utilizing the resources more effectively and serving the public, provided that not more than 50% of the pitches will be used.'
He said (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the non-occupation rate of the Council's IGHS during non-peak hours from the morning to 5 pm on weekdays is generally low at about 40%. It is a big waste of resources. I suggest that we consider offering free use of vacant venues during non-peak hours to schools and non-profit-making bodies on the condition that no more than 50% overall is offered.
According to the statistics provided by the Department, schools and non-profit-making bodies do not make frequent use of these places during non-peak hours. The usage rate of schools averages 4% and that of subvented bodies is merely at 0.1%. At present, these organizations enjoy half-fare concession, but in fact, they do not make use of IGHS effectively. In fact, schools and subvented bodies do not have a lot of financial resources. Although they are granted half-fare for use of venues during off-peak hours, sports activities are not a priority. An overwhelming part of their resources is used in other areas with little left to pay for the use of venues. As a result, they do not hold sports activities enthusiastically. In schools, for example, sports groups, basketball or badminton teams are provided with limited funds by the school authorities so that after paying for hire of venues for competitions, members of the teams have very few chances to practice regularly at standardized pitches. This situation directly affects the development and standard of the relevant sports.
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