Page 96 of 139
172
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Chairman, to make it a practice to consult you and my other colleagues when I introduce a motion. I have done so once before; in this instance, likewise, I was open to reason.
I am really pleased to propose to this Council that we recommend to Government the allocation of funds for the construction of a building on each side of the harbour to provide facilities for healthy physical recreation and the playing of games indoors.
There are few, if any, indoor facilities readily available to the public at large for physical exercise and the practice of certain forms of sport which are becoming ever more popular in Hong Kong. To correct the deficiency and to meet the demand, this project of a composite indoor stadium is proposed.
It enables those, who are ineligible or cannot afford to avail themselves of existing club and other private amenities, to derive pleasure and benefit from pastimes which the implementation of this motion will make possible. For this reason alone, it deserves the support of all who have the welfare of the people at heart.
Moreover, schools and other organizations will no doubt welcome such an additional improvement of the recreational opportunities the Council has to offer.
In putting forward this proposal, I wish also to pay tribute to the wise policy which the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee is pursuing. Worthy of comment is the fact that in its work the Select Committee is guided by welfare considerations first and beautification of the Colony afterwards.
The Council is providing rest and recreational areas in as many parts of the island and the mainland as there are suitable opportunities. Many such playgrounds and green areas are already in existence; others are under development; still others are projected.
I am aware, as are other Members of this Council, that much remains to be done to keep pace with the steeply rising need created by the rapid growth of population. In particular, I am conscious of the tremendous postwar increase in the interest shown for sports generally.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
173
Less than a decade ago, sports facilities lagged behind the obvious public demand which had arisen. Though it may be claimed that Hong Kong has always had good recreational facilities in the way of courts and playing fields, yet they are in the main of a private nature and thus, by and large, not open to the vast majority of the population. Of late this lack has been made good in part by the construction of the Hong Kong Stadium and more so by the opening of Victoria Park. Nevertheless, on the whole what Hong Kong provides for the recreation of the people lags behind what other communities of our importance have to offer.
True, among other reasons, no other place has had to tackle problems of the magnitude with which we were suddenly confronted and which we are solving with much intelligence and determination. Still, we must push ahead in an unceasing effort to make this community really second to none as far as it may be expected of us so to do.
MR. LI YIU BOR seconded.
He said: I take great pleasure in doing so as both Mr. Sales and I are serving on the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee, whose business it is to provide more facilities for sports, both outdoor and indoor.
As you are aware, Sir, indoor sports are almost as popular as outdoor ones, but in Hong Kong the facilities for the practice of the former are quite inadequate. Of course, some schools and public organizations do offer facilities for a limited number of indoor games, but the supply falls far short of the demand, and it is now time for Government to do something in this matter,
If this motion is passed by this Council and accepted by Government, Hong Kong will be able to promote many indoor sports in which members of the public take a keen interest.
Through the efforts of this Council, Government has recently developed many rest gardens and roadside plots for the benefit of the public, and many more will be developed in the years to come. These have proved a great boon to children and cubicle-dwellers who have almost no means of recreation. However, proper public stadia for the practice of indoor games are still conspicuous by their absence, and I believe that it is mainly for this reason that Mr. Sales' motion will be supported and welcomed by members.
Page 96 of 139
Page 96 of 139
172
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Chairman, to make it a practice to consult you and my other colleagues when I introduce a motion. I have done so once before; in this instance, likewise, I was open to reason.
I am really pleased to propose to this Council that we recommend to Government the allocation of funds for the con- struction of a building on each side of the harbour to provide facilities for healthy physical recreation and the playing of games indoors.
There are few, if any, indoor facilities readily available to the public at large for physical exercise and the practice of certain forms of sport which are becoming ever more popular in Hong Kong. To correct the deficiency and to meet the demand, this project of a composite indoor stadium is proposed.
It enables those, who are ineligible or cannot afford to avail themselves of existing club and other private amenities, to derive pleasure and benefit from pastimes which the implementation of this motion will make possible. For this reason alone, it deserves the support of all who have the welfare of the people at heart.
Moreover, schools and other organizations will no doubt wel- come such an additional improvement of the recreational opportuni- ties the Council has to offer.
In putting forward this proposal, I wish also to pay tribute to the wise policy which the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee is pursuing. Worthy of comment is the fact that in its work the Select Committee is guided by welfare considerations first and beautification of the Colony afterwards.
The Council is providing rest and recreational areas in as many parts of the island and the mainland as there are suitable opportunities. Many such playgrounds and green areas are al- ready in existence; others are under development; still others are projected.
I am aware as are other Members of this Council that much remains to be done to keep pace with the steeply rising need creat- ed by the rapid growth of population. In particular, I am conscious of the tremendous postwar increase in the interest shown for sports generally.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
173
Less than a decade ago, sports facilities lagged behind the obvious public demand which had arisen. Though it may be claimed that Hong Kong has always had good recreational facili- ties in the way of courts and playing fields, yet they are in the main of a private nature and thus, by and large, not open to the vast majority of the population. Of late this lack has been made good in part by the construction of the Hong Kong Stadium and more so by the opening of Victoria Park. Nevertheless, on the whole what Hong Kong provides for the recreation of the people lags behind what other communities of our importance have to offer.
True, among other reasons, no other place has had to tackle problems of the magnitude with which we were suddenly con- fronted and which we are solving with much intelligence and deter- mination. Still, we must push ahead in an unceasing effort to make this community really second to none as far as it may be expected of us so to do.
MR. LI YIU BOR seconded.
He said: I take great pleasure in doing so as both Mr. Sales and I are serving on the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee, whose business it is to provide more facilities for sports, both outdoor and indoor.
As you are aware, Sir, indoor sports are almost as popular as outdoor ones, but in Hong Kong the facilities for the practice of the former are quite inadequate. Of course, some schools and public organizations do offer facilities for a limited number of indoor games, but the supply falls far short of the demand, and it is now time for Government to do something in this matter,
If this motion is passed by this Council and accepted by Government, Hong Kong will be able to promote many indoor sports in which members of the public take a keen interest.
Through the efforts of this Council, Government has recently developed many rest gardens and roadside plots for the benefit of the public, and many more will be developed in the years to come. These have proved a great boon to children and cubicle-dwellers who have almost no means of recreation. However, proper public stadia for the practice of indoor games are still conspicuous by their absence, and I believe that it is mainly for this reason that Mr. Sales' motion will be supported and welcomed by members.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.