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early implementation. Measures have been taken recently to improve control over the car parks at the Stadium, and resurfacing will be done in order that they can be used at other times for games, for which purpose portable basketball and mini-soccer equipment has been ordered. The annual expenses for the maintenance of the Stadium over the past few years were as follows:-
1969-70 $468,674
1970-71 $454,335
1971-72 $481,181
The income during these years was:
1969-70 - $213,689
1970-71 - $399,455
1971-72 $402,201
In answer to the final part of this question, from what I have already said it will be clear that while the Stadium is now in good shape, all the remedial works which the Council has in mind will not have been completed by April 1973. The Stadium has of course already been handed over to the Council for management and the Council's future budgets will have to cover such improvements and equipment as may be required just as it will have to cover similar improvements and equipment for other facets of the Council's duties.
MR. NG:- Mr. Chairman, can Mr. SALES explain the reason why recently the press, especially the Chinese press, complained about the disorganization concerning regulations and enforcement of some of the by-laws or changing by the Council?
MR. SALES:- Mr. Chairman, is that part of the original question?
MR. NG:- Yes, Mr. Chairman, it is the enforcement of the by-laws and regulations.
MR. SALES:- If you, Sir, acknowledge that it is part of the original question, may I then suggest that you as Director of Urban Services would be in a better position to answer it.
CHAIRMAN:- Arising out of complaints, the Select Committee, having considered the state of the ground and what should be done to get it into better condition, asked us to look into the question of use. This we have done and we have tried to restrict use in order to preserve the ground in reasonably good condition. That is why the problem has arisen.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SALES: Sir, might I add that the Urban Council is most sympathetic towards the situation, not only of the Hong Kong Football Association, but of other traditional users of the Hong Kong Stadium. Nevertheless, we cannot eat our cake and have it. The public, through the press, cannot complain about the deplorable state of the grounds and not expect at the same time that the Urban Services Department would take adequate measures to bring the grounds to a satisfactory condition. Now, discussions are taking place; even at lunch time to-day I was discussing this matter with very high ranking sports officials and what measures could be found in common to satisfy the needs of these football organizations, not only the Association, but the clubs and also other users of the stadium. We must find a fair and reasonable solution, fair to all parties concerned in this particular matter.
MR. NG:- Mr. Chairman, concerning the last part of the answer, does it mean that the stadium will be handed over to us with the remedial work not completed by April 1973, and that we will have to foot the bill for it?
MR. SALES:- Mr. Chairman, I think that is a very good question. You know my thinking. I have asked you for an assurance that the Central Government would foot all bills and that the Urban Council when it paddles its own canoe would not have to take over any outstanding commitment on the part of the Central Government. Mr. Chairman, may I have that question answered?
CHAIRMAN:- There will certainly be many outstanding commitments facing the Urban Council, and if the Government is providing the money for the Urban Council, I do not know what the concern of members is.
MR. NG: Mr. Chairman, also concerning the handing over in April,
MR. SALES:- Excuse me, Sir, if that is your assurance, might I then expect that the Select Committee would see that an element for this particular stadium job would be included in your bill to the Central Government?
CHAIRMAN:- This will be done, certainly.
MR. SALES: Thank you very much indeed.
MR. NG:- Also, Mr. Chairman, when the stadium is handed over to the Council, in my question I asked will it be free of encumbrance. Would we have to pay any rent to the Central Government?
CHAIRMAN:- Not as far as I know for the stadium or for any of the other similar grounds coming to us.
Page 114 of 206
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Page 113 of 206
206
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
early implementation. Measures have been taken recently to improve control over the car parks at the Stadium, and resurfacing will be done in order that they can be used at other times for games, for which purpose portable basketball and mini-soccer equipment has been ordered. The annual expenses for the maintenance of the Stadium over
the past few years were as follows:-
1969-70 $468,674
1970-71-$454,335
1971-72 $481,181
The income during these years was:
1969-70 - $213,689
1970-71 - $399,455
1971-72 $402,201
www-
―
In answer to the final part of this question, from what I have already said it will be clear that while the Stadium is now in good shape, all the remedial works which the Council has in mind will not have been completed by April 1973. The Stadium has of course already been handed over to the Council for management and the Council's future budgets will have to cover such improvements and equip- ment as may be required just as it will have to cover similar improvements and equipment for other facets of the Council's duties.
MR. NG:-Mr. Chairman, can Mr. SALES explain the reason why recently the press, especially the Chinese press, complained about the disorganization concerning regulations and enforcement of some of the by-laws or changing by the Council?
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, is that part of the original question? MR. NG:-Yes, Mr. Chairman, it is the enforcement of the by-laws and regulations.
MR. SALES: -If you, Sir, acknowledge that it is part of the original question, may I then suggest that you as Director of Urban Services would be in a better position to answer it.
CHAIRMAN:-Arising out of complaints, the Select Committee, having considered the state of the ground and what should be done to get it into better condition, asked us to look into the question of use. This we have done and we have tried to restrict use in order to preserve the ground in reasonably good condition. That is why the problem has arisen.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
207
MR. SALES: Sir, might I add that the Urban Council is most sympathetic towards the situation, not only of the Hong Kong Football Association, but of other traditional users of the Hong Kong Stadium. Nevertheless, we cannot eat our cake and have it. The public, through the press, cannot complain about the deplorable state of the grounds and not expect at the same time that the Urban Services Department would take adequate measures to bring the grounds to a satisfactory condition. Now, discussions are taking place; even at lunch time to-day I was discussing this matter with very high ranking sports officials and what measures could be found in common to satisfy the needs of these football organizations, not only the Association, but the clubs and also other users of the stadium. We must find a fair and reasonable solu- tion, fair to all parties concerned in this particular matter.
MR. NG:-Mr. Chairman, concerning the last part of the answer, does it mean that the stadium will be handed over to us with the remedial work not completed by April 1973, and that we will have to foot the bill for it?
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I think that is a very good question. You know my thinking. I have asked you for an assurance that the Central Government would foot all bills and that the Urban Council when it paddles its own canoe would not have to take over any out- standing commitment on the part of the Central Government. Mr. Chairman, may I have that question answered?
CHAIRMAN:-There will certainly be many outstanding commit- ments facing the Urban Council, and if the Government is providing the money for the Urban Council, I do not know what the concern of members is.
MR. NG: Mr. Chairman, also concerning the handing over in April,
MR. SALES: ---Excuse me, Sir, if that is your assurance, might I then expect that the Select Committee would see that an element for this particular stadium job would be included in your bill to the Central Government?
CHAIRMAN:-This will be done, certainly.
MR. SALES: Thank you very much indeed.
MR. NG:-Also, Mr. Chairman, when the stadium is handed over
to the Council, in my question I asked will it be free of encumbrance. Would we have to pay any rent to the Central Government?
CHAIRMAN:-Not as far as I know for the stadium or for any of the other similar grounds coming to us.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.