No_3_September_and_October__1953 — Page 46

GOVERNMENT STADIUM AT SOOKUNPOO

PROPOSED STADIUM

AT SOOKUN POO

Z

The work for the construction of drawbacks. The Queen's Recreation Before actually planning the layout the Government Sports Stadium at ground, more commonly known as of the stadium, it was necessary for Sookunpoo commenced on 21st July, the Navy ground, caters for several a survey team to make an accurate 1953. The contract price was $1,476,- clubs-such as the Chinese Recrea- contour plan of the whole area. With 260.00 and the successful tenderers tion Club, the Aces Sports Club, the this plan as a basis, trial layouts were were Messrs Lun Sang & Co.

REME Repair Workshop-all of whom made for the most economical posi- would have to be given alternative tion for the stadium. The designers The contract calls for the construc- sites. A stadium there would also have had to bear in mind that the longitu- tion of the main body of the Stadium necessitated a new wide road, as well dinal axis of the football field should with approach roads, car parks and as the provision of extensive parking lie approximately north and south, stormwater drainage. A separate facilities. It was estimated that roads preferably some twenty degrees west contract will be let at a later stage and car parks would have taken up of north for minimum glare; and, for the pavilion, auxiliary buildings, 17 per cent or 400,000 square feet since the nature of the site calls for turnstiles and gates when formation of the newly reclaimed land at Cause- an amphitheatre type. it was there- of the site is completed.

way Bay. In other words, this con- fore essential to obtain a siting such As long ago as 1947, Government siderable stretch would have been that the cuts would balance the fills. It was finally decided to orient the approved in principle a proposal that completely neutralised.

axis of the stadium practically due the cost of building a Colony Stadium For these reasons, the Causeway north and south. should be met from public funds, but the project was deferred because of down both the Navy ground proposals ried out on the site to determine the Bay Recreation Committee turned Preliminary boring tests were car- priority housing requirements and and the idea of building on the re- the scarcity of building materials.

clamation itself, and the Director of geological formation of the soil, but The matter was reviewed from time Public Works looked about for other owing to the presence of innumerable to time and Government subsequent possible sites. It is as a result of the hidden boulders the results were of ly investigated the desirability of Hon. T. L. Bowring's investigations limited value for planning purposes. building a stadium on the Queen's that the site in the valley leading When the preliminary plans were College Recreation ground on the from the southwest corner of the drawn it was thought that it might opposite side of the road from the main Sookunpoo Valley has been be possible to keep clear of the exist- Causeway Bay Reclamation itself.

chosen. Mr. Bowring stressed that ing Indian Recreation Club grounds. this is a most admirable site as the but after consultation with the in- Such a scheme it was found, whilst very contours of the ground form a terested Sports Associations and the appearing very attractive, had many more or less natural amphitheatre. Police Traffic Department, it

was

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