1965 — Page 93

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 93 of 382

164

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(8) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:

(a) Since it has apparently taken over 10 years for the Colony to obtain its present two public swimming pools and since there is such a tremendous use made of these pools, has consideration been given to having a standard design, shape and size and filtration plant for a swimming pool, so that whenever a site becomes available such a pool can be built with the greatest possible speed just in the same way as there has been a standard pattern for resettlement buildings, thus enabling rapid completion for use?

(b) Will the Chairman please state whether there is or ever has been any plan to build a swimming pool at Lai Chi Kok to replace the beach there?

(d) Since swimming is the most popular recreation can consideration be given to the building of pools in or near every newly developing district e.g. Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Tsz Wan Shan etc.?

MR. A. de O. SALES, Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, replied as follows:-

In 1960 the Urban Amenities Select Committee did in fact approve a standard layout for future neighbourhood swimming pools giving a main bathing area of about 12,000 square feet. The department later took the view that a much larger bathing area was necessary to accommodate the expected large attendances, and in 1963 the Urban Amenities Select Committee agreed that the main bathing area at the new Cheung Sha Wan Pool should measure about 20,000 square feet. For the new Kwun Tong Swimming Pool a main bathing area of up to 30,000 square feet has been proposed. It is clear that we ought now to reconsider the question of a standard design and I have asked that this matter be referred again to the Urban Amenities Select Committee.

The answer to the second part of the question is that the construction of a public swimming pool at or near the site of the existing Lai Chi Kok Beach has been under consideration for many years. An item for the redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Bay for amenity purposes, including a swimming pool, has been submitted for inclusion in the Public Works Programme, but has not so far gained inclusion.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

165

Regarding the third part of the question, the next swimming pool to be built will be the one which appears under the heading of "Public Swimming Pool at Cheung Sha Wan" in Category B of the Public Works Programme. The site for this pool is adjacent to Li Cheng Uk Resettlement Estate and below the Tai Po Road. It is hoped that this pool will be opened in 1968.

The answer to the fourth part of the question is that following recommendations from the Urban Amenities Select Committee, Government has already accepted the need for more public swimming pools. In addition to the new Cheung Sha Wan Swimming Pool which I have just mentioned, the Public Works Programme already contains projects for three further swimming pools at Kennedy Town, Hung Hom, and Kwun Tong. The Council has also been consulted on the plans for the projected Yau Ma Tei Civic Centre, which include a public swimming pool.

DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, may I know why the item for the redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Bay for amenity purposes, including a swimming pool, has not so far gained inclusion in the Public Works Programme?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Before I could answer that question I should like to know when it was submitted. Requests for inclusion in the Public Works Programme are sent in about this time each year at the request of the Colonial Secretariat, when they are vetted and eventually find their way up to the Public Works Sub-Committee or Finance Committee at their December meeting. I do not myself recollect any request for Lai Chi Kok coming up to Public Works Sub-Committee at their last December meeting being turned down, and it is possible that this has just gone forward. I don't know.

DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, is it not a fact that about 1956 a question of a swimming pool at Lai Chi Kok was included in—I can't remember the exact category of the Public Works Programme—and why has it been dropped since then and not re-included?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I do not know if it was ever in, and I cannot remember 10 years back, but if it was in, I would say that the whole plan for Lai Chi Kok is in the process of being altered. I explained this in connexion with Dr. LEE'S question a little while ago, and there is now going to be a road on arches or stilts the whole way across Lai Chi Kok Bay and preliminary planning ideas are that behind that there should be not only a large swimming pool but also—I 'm jumping 3-4 questions on—there is the possibility of a football stadium as well.

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Page 93 of 382 164 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL (8) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question: (a) Since it has apparently taken over 10 years for the Colony to obtain its present two public swimming pools and since there is such a tremendous use made of these pools, has consideration been given to having a standard design, shape and size and filtration plant for a swimming pool, so that whenever a site becomes available such a pool can be built with the greatest possible speed just in the same way as there has been a standard pattern for resettlement buildings, thus enabling rapid completion for use? (b) Will the Chairman please state whether there is or ever has been any plan to build a swimming pool at Lai Chi Kok to replace the beach there? (c) Where is the next swimming pool to be sited and when is it to be completed? (d) Since swimming is the most popular recreation can consideration be given to the building of pools in or near every newly developing district e.g. Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Tsz Wan Shan etc.? MR. A. de O. SALES, Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, replied as follows:- In 1960 the Urban Amenities Select Committee did in fact approve a standard layout for future neighbourhood swimming pools giving a main bathing area of about 12,000 square feet. The department later took the view that a much larger bathing area was necessary to accommodate the expected large attendances, and in 1963 the Urban Amenities Select Committee agreed that the main bathing area at the new Cheung Sha Wan Pool should measure about 20,000 square feet. For the new Kwun Tong Swimming Pool a main bathing area of up to 30,000 square feet has been proposed. It is clear that we ought now to reconsider the question of a standard design and I have asked that this matter be referred again to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. The answer to the second part of the question is that the construction of a public swimming pool at or near the site of the existing Lai Chi Kok Beach has been under consideration for many years. An item for the redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Bay for amenity purposes, including a swimming pool, has been submitted for inclusion in the Public Works Programme, but has not so far gained inclusion. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 165 Regarding the third part of the question, the next swimming pool to be built will be the one which appears under the heading of "Public Swimming Pool at Cheung Sha Wan" in Category B of the Public Works Programme. The site for this pool is adjacent to Li Cheng Uk Resettlement Estate and below the Tai Po Road. It is hoped that this pool will be opened in 1968. The answer to the fourth part of the question is that following recommendations from the Urban Amenities Select Committee, Government has already accepted the need for more public swimming pools. In addition to the new Cheung Sha Wan Swimming Pool which I have just mentioned, the Public Works Programme already contains projects for three further swimming pools at Kennedy Town, Hung Hom, and Kwun Tong. The Council has also been consulted on the plans for the projected Yau Ma Tei Civic Centre, which include a public swimming pool. DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, may I know why the item for the redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Bay for amenity purposes, including a swimming pool, has not so far gained inclusion in the Public Works Programme? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Before I could answer that question I should like to know when it was submitted. Requests for inclusion in the Public Works Programme are sent in about this time each year at the request of the Colonial Secretariat, when they are vetted and eventually find their way up to the Public Works Sub-Committee or Finance Committee at their December meeting. I do not myself recollect any request for Lai Chi Kok coming up to Public Works Sub-Committee at their last December meeting being turned down, and it is possible that this has just gone forward. I don't know. DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, is it not a fact that about 1956 a question of a swimming pool at Lai Chi Kok was included in—I can't remember the exact category of the Public Works Programme—and why has it been dropped since then and not re-included? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I do not know if it was ever in, and I cannot remember 10 years back, but if it was in, I would say that the whole plan for Lai Chi Kok is in the process of being altered. I explained this in connexion with Dr. LEE'S question a little while ago, and there is now going to be a road on arches or stilts the whole way across Lai Chi Kok Bay and preliminary planning ideas are that behind that there should be not only a large swimming pool but also—I 'm jumping 3-4 questions on—there is the possibility of a football stadium as well. Page 93 of 382

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Page 93 of 382 164 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL (8) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question: (a) Since it has apparently taken over 10 years for the Colony to obtain its present two public swimming pools and since there is such a tremendous use made of these pools, has consideration been given to having a standard design, shape and size and filtration plant for a swimming pool, so that whenever a site becomes available such a pool can be built with the greatest possible speed just in the same way as there has been a standard pattern for resettlement buildings, thus enabling rapid completion for use? (b) Will the Chairman please state whether there is or ever has been any plan to build a swimming pool at Lai Chi Kok to replace the beach there? (c) Where is the next swimming pool to be sited and when is it to be completed? (d) Since swimming is the most popular recreation can con- sideration be given to the building of pools in or near every newly developing district e.g. Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Tsz Wan Shan etc.? MR. A. de O. SALES, Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, replied as follows : - In 1960 the Urban Amenities Select Committee did in fact approve a standard layout for future neighbourhood swim- ming pools giving a main bathing area of about 12,000 square feet. The department later took the view that a much larger bathing area was necessary to accommodate the expected large attendances, and in 1963 the Urban Amenities Select Committee agreed that the main bathing area at the new Cheung Sha Wan Pool should measure about 20,000 square feet. For the new Kwun Tong Swim- ming Pool a main bathing area of up to 30,000 square feet has been proposed. It is clear that we ought now to reconsider the question of a standard design and I have asked that this matter be referred again to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. The answer to the second part of the question is that the construction of a public swimming pool at or near the site of the existing Lai Chi Kok Beach has been under consideration for many years. An item for the redevelop- ment of Lai Chi Kok Bay for amenity purposes, including a swimming pool, has been submitted for inclusion in the Public Works Programme, but has not so far gained inclusion. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 165 Regarding the third part of the question, the next swimming pool to be built will be the one which appears under the heading of "Public Swimming Pool at Cheung Sha Wan" in Category B of the Public Works Programme. The site for this pool is adjacent to Li Cheng Uk Resettlement Estate and below the Tai Po Road. It is hoped that this pool will be opened in 1968. The answer to the fourth part of the question is that following recommendations from the Urban Amenities Select Com- mittee, Government has already accepted the need for more public swimming pools. In addition to the new Cheung Sha Wan Swimming Pool which I have just mentioned, the Public Works Programme already contains projects for three further swimming pools at Kennedy Town, Hung Hom, and Kwun Tong. The Council has also been consulted on the plans for the projected Yau Ma Tei Civic Centre, which include a public swimming pool. DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, may I know why the item for the redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Bay for amenity purposes, including a swimming pool, has not so far gained inclusion in the Public Works Programme? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Before I could answer that question I should like to know when it was submitted. Requests for inclusion in the Public Works Programme are sent in about this time each year at the request of the Colonial Secretariat, when they are vetted and eventually find their way up to the Public Works Sub-Committee or Finance Committee at their December meeting. I do not myself recollect any request for Lai Chi Kok coming up to Public Works Sub- Committee at their last December meeting being turned down, and it is possible that this has just gone forward. I don't know. DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, is it not a fact that about 1956 a question of a swimming pool at Lai Chi Kok was included in—I can't remember the exact category of the Public Works Programme-and why has been dropped since then and not re-included? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I do not know if it was ever in, and I cannot remember 10 years back, but if it was in, I would say that the whole plan for Lai Chi Kok is in the process of being altered. I explained this in connexion with Dr. LEE'S question a little while ago, and there is now going to be a road on arches or stilts the whole way across Lai Chi Kok Bay and preliminary planning ideas are that behind that there should be not only a large swimming pool but also-I'm jumping 3-4 questions on-there is the possibility of a football stadium as well.

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Page 93 of 382

164

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(8) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:

(a)

Since it has apparently taken over 10 years for the Colony to obtain its present two public swimming pools and since there is such a tremendous use made of these pools, has consideration been given to having a standard design, shape and size and filtration plant for a swimming pool, so that whenever a site becomes available such a pool can be built with the greatest possible speed just in the same way as there has been a standard pattern for resettlement buildings, thus enabling rapid completion for use?

(b) Will the Chairman please state whether there is or ever has been any plan to build a swimming pool at Lai Chi Kok to replace the beach there?

it to be completed?

(d) Since swimming is the most popular recreation can con- sideration be given to the building of pools in or near every newly developing district e.g. Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Tsz Wan Shan etc.?

MR. A. de O. SALES, Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, replied as follows : -

In 1960 the Urban Amenities Select Committee did in fact approve a standard layout for future neighbourhood swim- ming pools giving a main bathing area of about 12,000 square feet. The department later took the view that a much larger bathing area was necessary to accommodate the expected large attendances, and in 1963 the Urban Amenities Select Committee agreed that the main bathing area at the new Cheung Sha Wan Pool should measure about 20,000 square feet. For the new Kwun Tong Swim- ming Pool a main bathing area of up to 30,000 square feet has been proposed. It is clear that we ought now to reconsider the question of a standard design and I have asked that this matter be referred again to the Urban Amenities Select Committee.

The answer to the second part of the question is that the construction of a public swimming pool at or near the site of the existing Lai Chi Kok Beach has been under consideration for many years. An item for the redevelop- ment of Lai Chi Kok Bay for amenity purposes, including a swimming pool, has been submitted for inclusion in the Public Works Programme, but has not so far gained inclusion.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

165

The answer to the fourth part of the question is that following recommendations from the Urban Amenities Select Com- mittee, Government has already accepted the need for more public swimming pools. In addition to the new Cheung Sha Wan Swimming Pool which I have just mentioned, the Public Works Programme already contains projects for three further swimming pools at Kennedy Town, Hung Hom, and Kwun Tong. The Council has also been consulted on the plans for the projected Yau Ma Tei Civic Centre, which include a public swimming pool.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Before I could answer that question I should like to know when it was submitted. Requests for inclusion in the Public Works Programme are sent in about this time each year at the request of the Colonial Secretariat, when they are vetted and eventually find their way up to the Public Works Sub-Committee or Finance Committee at their December meeting. I do not myself recollect any request for Lai Chi Kok coming up to Public Works Sub- Committee at their last December meeting being turned down, and it is possible that this has just gone forward. I don't know.

DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, is it not a fact that about 1956 a question of a swimming pool at Lai Chi Kok was included in—I can't remember the exact category of the Public Works Programme-and why has been dropped since then and not re-included?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I do not know if it was ever in, and I cannot remember 10 years back, but if it was in, I would say that the whole plan for Lai Chi Kok is in the process of being altered. I explained this in connexion with Dr. LEE'S question a little while ago, and there is now going to be a road on arches or stilts the whole way across Lai Chi Kok Bay and preliminary planning ideas are that behind that there should be not only a large swimming pool but also-I'm jumping 3-4 questions on-there is the possibility of a football stadium as well.

1965 — Page 93

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