XN000022-1985-05-31 — Page 23

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FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1985

CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME DISCUSSED

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MEMBERS OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD TODAY DISCUSSED AT LENGTH THE CAPITAL AND MINOR WORKS PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THESE PROJECTS, INCLUDING FIVE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, RANGE FROM THE LATEST LANDMARK IN THE TERRITORY THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL CENTRE -- TO A SWIMMING POOL, GARDENS, SITTING-OUT AREAS, MARKET COMPLEXES, A COOKED FOOD CENTRE, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AND PUBLIC TOILETS.

ALTOGETHER THERE ARE 20 CAPITAL WORKS AND 27 MINOR WORKS PROJECTS IN THE COUNCIL'S PLANNING PIPELINE FOR THE DISTRICT, OF WHICH SOME 68 PER CENT ARE RECREATION AND SPORTS FÁCILITIES. FULL DETAILS OF THE PROJECTS AND THE IR PROPOSED PRIORITIES WERE TABLED AT THE BOARD'S MEETING TODAY BY THE STAFF OFFICER (PLANNING)/KOWLOON WEST OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR A.P. HASSAN.

DURING THE ENSUING DISCUSSION, MEMBERS WERE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SWIMMING POOL IN KOWLOON PARK WHICH THEY SAID WAS URGENTLY NEEDED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THEY ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO SHELVE THE MUSEUM PROJECT AND CALLED ON THE URBAN COUNCIL TO LIAISE WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON WAYS TO GO AHEAD WITH THE PROJECT.

MR HASSAN TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE COUNCIL WAS CONSIDERING SEVERAL OPTIONS AND THAT THE ISSUE WOULD BE DISCUSSED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

MR HASSAN ALSO ASSURED THE BOARD THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE THE IR VIEWS INTO CONSIDERATION AND SUGGEST ADJUSTMENTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE.

HE ADDED THAT THE USD WOULD PRESENT ITS FINALISED DRAFT CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AND THAT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE FINALISED PLANS FOR THEIR DISTRICTS AROUND NOVEMBER.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR YIP WAH, SAID THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE HELPED FOSTER A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS OF THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE COUNCIL IN PLANNING CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS FOR THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT WOULD ALSO ENABLE THE COUNCIL AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO GET FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON THE NEEDS AND PRIORITIES FOR UC FACILITIES AS THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS SEE THEM, HE ADDED.

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