No_4_November_and_December__1952 — Page 26

MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND

DESIGNED BY G.D. SU A.A.

H

UNDREDS of children in Wanchai have cause to be thankful to the Children's Play- ground Association, for providing them with an area in which they can enjoy themselves so completely, without being exposed to the dangers of playing in Hong Kong's busy streets. It is only necessary to pay a visit to the Southorn Play- ground in that district, any day of the week, to see how satisfactorily it is functioning and bringing con- siderable benefit to so many young-

sters.

Kowloon will soon have its own

children's playground and welfare centre, offering facilities and benefits to the youngsters similar if not superior to those accorded by the Southorn Playground. The founda- tion stone of the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Macpherson Play. ground, Kowloon, was laid by the Duchess of Kent, during her recent visit here. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of March 1953.

Building of this playing ground was made possible by a handsome contribution of $700,000 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the

Architect's drawing of the completed structure.

Children's Playground Association is indebted to the Jockey Club for this very substantial donation, which was earmarked specifically for the erection of a welfare centre on the mainland.

This project is being built on an island lot, bounded by Nelson, Shantung, Yin Po Fong and Sui Yee Streets, in the Homuntin- Yee Streets, in the Homuntin- Mongkok district west of the railway Mongkok district west of the railway line. The site has a total area of approximately 105,000 sq. ft., on which there was already a play- ground in a bad state of repair.

The scheme embraces a large building of very impressive design, which includes a main stadium capable of accommodating 2,064 spectators on reinforced concrete stands with a clear playing space 119 ft. long and 60 ft. wide approxi- mately, suitable for basketball or tennis matches. Ample provision is being made for changing rooms, showers and other toilet facilities for both men and women, which will be located under, and form part of, the reinforced concrete seats on both sides of the stadium.

On the ground floor adjacent to the Stadium itself there will also be

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located a covered children's play- ground, a canteen where food will be provided at reasonable prices, four booths for the sale of admission tickets to special sports events, and various store rooms and toilets.

There will be a number of offices on both the ground floor and the first floor to accommodate the Children's Playground Association, the Boys' & Girls' Club, the Family Welfare Association, the Social Welfare Office. Also included will be a Club Room, a Meeting Room, Wai- ting Room, and a Library donated by the Junior Chamber of Com- merce. The second floor will con- sist of two apartments for supervisors,

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Site plan showing building and playground.

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