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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1977
+SINCE 1975, THE CONCEPT OF THE STADIUM HAS UNDERGONE VARIOUS CHANGES, AS THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL HAVE EXPANDED THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION OF SPORTING FACILITIES.
+ INSTEAD OF BEING A CENTRE FOR SPORT ONLY, THE STADIUM WILL ALSO INCLUDE FACILITIES WHICH WILL ENABLE EXHIBITIONS, TRADE SHOWS AND ENTERTAINMENTS TO BE STAGED HERE. THIS WILL HELP TO MEET THE HEAVY EXPENSE OF RUNNING SUCH A STADIUM AND WILL GREATLY ENLARGE ITS USEFULNESS TO THE COMMUNITY.
+WHEN THE STADIUM IS COMPLETED, BY THE END OF 1979, IT WILL CONSIST OF AN ARENA SEATING 3,000 PEOPLE, A GAMES PRACTICE AREA, VARIOUS SPORTS COURTS, ANCILLARY TRAINING AND CHANGING FACILITIES AND A TOWER BLOCK OF HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR TEAMS VISITING HONG KONG FOR COMPETITIONS, WHETHER AT THE STADIUM OR ELSEWHERE.
+THE URBAN COUNCIL, WITH ITS CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE AND MARKED
IT. SUCCESS IN ADMINISTERING SIMILAR FACILITIES, WILL MANAGE
+ THE STADIUM IS EXPECTED TO COST A TOTAL OF ABOUT $42 MILLION. APART FROM THE $10 MILLION RAISED BY THE ROYAL VISIT COMMEMORATIVE FUND, THE COST WILL BE MET FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF THE COMMEMORATIVE GOLD COIN, WHICH WAS MINTED TO MARK THE QUEEN'S VISIT, AND FROM CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
+THE COMMUNITY OWES A GREAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THE DONORS TO THE ROYAL VISIT COMMEMORATIVE FUND, TO WHOM SHOULD BE GIVEN THE MAIN CREDIT FOR BRINGING THIS EXCITING PROJECT TO LIFE.
+I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE STADIUM WILL BRING SUBSTANTIAL BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL AND TO OUR YOUNG SPORTSMEN IN PARTICULAR.
+IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.+
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