WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1977
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EARLY REALISATION OF JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE PROJECT
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SOME OF THE FACILITIES IN THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THREE YEARS WHILE THE CENTRE WILL BE IN FULL OPERATION A YEAR LATER, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE BILL 1977 TODAY.
MR. LI POINTED OUT THAT THE PROJECT EVOLVED WHEN THE STEWARDS OF THE ROAYL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB REALISED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE AVAILABLE AT THE NEW RACECOURSE AN AREA OF OVER 40 ACRES FOR SPORTING PURPOSES.
+THEY SAW IN THIS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH A CENTRE FOR ACTIVE SPORTS ON A SCALE UNPRECEDENTED FOR HONG KONG.
+NOT ONLY WAS THERE A LARGE AREA OF FLAT LAND, BUT THE EXTRA ROAD AND RAIL FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN AND OF THE RACECOURSE WOULD MAKE THE CENTRE EASILY ACCESSIBLE,+ MR. LI SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE CLUB'S INITIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE JOINT UNDERTAKING WOULD BE ITS EXPENDITURE ON THE 41 ACRES OF RECLAIMED LAND, THE GOVERNMENT'S WOULD BE THE PROVISION OF $25 MILLION TOWARDS THE BUILDING OF THE CENTRE.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE BILL 1977 WAS TO ESTABLISH A JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE BOARD AS A BODY CORPORATE, TOWARDS THE REALISATION OF THE PROJECT, HE EXPLAINED.
THE BILL SETS OUT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD, EMPHASIS ING THE PRINCIPAL AIM OF PROVIDING EXPERT COACHING IN SPORTS, AND FACILITIES FOR PRACTICE, TO RAISE STANDARDS AND STIMULATE INCREASED PARTICIPATION, MR. LI SAID.
IT ALSO ENABLES THE BOARD TO FIX FEES AND CHARGES FOR THE USE OF THE FACILITIES AND EMPOWERS IT TO WAIVE THEM, PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER EIGHTEEN, HE ADDED.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD IS ALSO PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE BILL, AND IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL BOARD, CHAIRED BY SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES, TO THE BOARD WHEN IT IS ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISIONAL BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED SO THAT PLANNING COULD START BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
IT HAD ALREADY INITIATED ACTION TO ADVERTISE FOR A CHIEF EXECUTIVE, WHO WOULD ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF THE SPORTS CENTRE AND WOULD LATER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT, MR. LI SAID.
THE BOARD WOULD ALSO CONSULT EXPERTS AND ORGANISATIONS WITH EXPERIENCE OF THE PLANNING OF SPORTS CENTRES, HE ADDED.
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