SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1976.
IMPROVEMENTS TO H.K. STUDENTS CENTRE IN LONDON
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THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD FOR A BUILDING SCHEME THAT WILL PROVIDE MORE LIVING ACCOMMODATION AND GREATLY INCREASE STUDY AND RECREATION AMENITIES AT THE HONG KONG STUDENTS CENTRE IN LANCASTER GATE, LONDON,
AT PRESENT, THE CENTRE PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION FOR 57 MALE STUDENTS AND 20 FEMALE STUDENTS. UNDER THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, THE NUMBER OF MALE STUDENTS WHO CAN BE ACCOMMODATED WILL REMAIN THE SAME, BUT FEMALE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION WILL BE INCREASED TO 34.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCREASE BY MORE THAN A HALF THE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR STUDY AND RECREATION, AND PROVIDE SELF-CATERING KITCHENS FOR STUDENTS WHO WISH TO COOK THEIR OWN MEALS.
ALTERATIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO IMPROVE THE FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS OF THE BUILDING.
BETTER ACCOMMODATION WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR STAFF WHO
HAVE TO LIVE ON THE PREMISES.
AMONG THE NEW OR IMPROVED FACILITIES THAT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS, WHETHER RESIDENT IN THE CENTRE OR NOT, WILL BE A GAMES ROOM, COMMITTEE ROOM AND LAUNDRY IN THE BASEMENT, AND A RECREATION ROOM AND EXTENDED TELEVISION ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
ALTERATIONS TO THE FIRST TO FIFTH FLOORS WILL PROVIDE MORE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AND A KITCHEN AT EACH LEVEL.
WORK ON THE IMPROVEMENTS WILL START SHORTLY AND IS EXPECTED
TO TAKE 17 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE HONG KONG STUDENTS CENTRE WAS SET UP IN 1958 ---WHEN IT WAS KNOWN AS HONG KONG HOUSE - AS A RESIDENTIAL HOSTEL AND CLUB FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO LIVE THERE FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, AND THE RATES THEY PAY FOR BED AND BREAKFAST ARE COMPARABLE WITH THOSE CHARGED IN OTHER STUDENT HOSTELS IN LONDON, AND ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY.
THE CENTRE IS ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, WHO IS ASSISTED BY AN ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
APART FROM THE 77 RESIDENTS WHO CAN AT PRESENT BE ACCOMMODATED THERE, THE FACILITIES OF THE CENTRE, WHICH INCLUDE A CANTEEN SERVING CHINESE AND ENGLISH FOOD, ARE USED BY ABOUT 100 STUDENTS EVERY DAY.
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