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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Morrison Hill Pool, which is heated and which normally remains open throughout the winter, is scheduled to close this month for its annual maintenance. The Urban Services Department has sought the advice of the Public Works Department on the possibility that this maintenance work be deferred until the repairs to the main pool in the Victoria Park complex have been completed. The Public Works Department, however, has advised that deferment of the maintenance may lead to serious damage to the mechanical plant which in turn could necessitate closure of the pool for a period substantially longer than the normal maintenance period of two months. At its meeting on 9 April 1980 the Recreation Select Committee agreed to the closure of Morrison Hill for its annual maintenance now so that it will be open again for the peak swimming period later this summer, thereby reducing public inconvenience as far as possible. By June 1980 it is expected that the new Chai Wan Swimming Pool complex will also be in operation and this too will help to reduce public inconvenience towards the end of the period when Morrison Hill Pool is closed.
As the need to close the main pool in the Victoria Park complex for repairs came to notice during the winter maintenance period, no bookings for the pool were accepted and applicants were referred to other swimming pools.
As regards the Urban Council's Learn-to-Swim Scheme which will begin on 14 April, the closure of the main pool at Victoria Park will result in the number of classes held there being reduced from 7 to 3 for the first two series. Thereafter the Scheme will carry on as planned.
MR. YOUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in case the closure of Victoria Park extends to much longer than originally envisaged, then in that case will the effect on the Learn-to-Swim Scheme be more serious than as indicated in the reply?
MR. Lo (in English):—At the moment, we do not know how long the Victoria Park pool will have to be closed. Obviously, if it is closed for a lengthy period, there will be some effect on the Learn-to-Swim Scheme. We have to see how the situation develops.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—Mr. Chairman, it is a distress to me to hear that the Urban Council does not know how long the Victoria Park swimming pool will be closed. Could not the Chairman give some indication as to whether it is a matter of a month or two, 6 months, or the whole of the year?
MR. Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the case is that this is not a regular maintenance of the swimming pool. The swimming pool has sprung a substantial leak to the extent that something in the region of 2,500 gallons of water an hour was leaking out, so that is something very substantial.
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Up to the Recreation Select Committee meeting last Wednesday, 9 April, I think it was still not known what exactly is causing this leak. Until we find out exactly what it is, I am afraid I cannot give an answer as to the length of period during which we have to close the swimming pool.
MR. BERNACCHI (in English):—Can the Chairman give an undertaking that Members will be informed how long approximately as soon as he himself knows?
MR. Lo (in English):—Certainly, Mr. Chairman, when we find out what is wrong and how long it is estimated to put it right, publicity will be given not just to Members, but to all the public who will be affected and would-be swimmers wanting to swim in the pool.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE (in English):—The paper refers to the new Chai Wan swimming complex expected to be in operation in June. This is now mid-April, I think something more definite than that would be forthcoming.
MR. Lo (in English):—In fact, I cannot give a definite answer more than that we hope it would be finished in June, but I cannot be more specific.
MR. FORSGATE (in English):—Has an opening date for the CUC to open it been decided yet?
MR. Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I think I defer to you.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—The date has been fixed but the manner of opening has not yet been decided. (Laughter).
MOTIONS
1. MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:
'RESOLVED that the Urban Council Financial (Amendment) By-laws 1980 be made under section 37 of the Urban Council Ordinance, Cap. 101.'
He said (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I rise to move the motion standing in my name:
"THAT the Urban Council Financial (Amendment) By-laws 1980 be made under section 37 of the Urban Council Ordinance, Cap. 101.'
The amendments arise from the Council's decision to change the name of the Cultural Affairs Select Committee to Cultural Services Select Committee which will now absorb the previous Libraries and Museums Select Committees. The Council has also decided to change the name of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to simply Recreation Select Committee.
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Page 19 of 120
6
Page 19 of 120
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Morrison Hill Pool, which is heated and which normally remains open throughout the winter, is scheduled to close this month for its annual main- tenance. The Urban Services Department has sought the advice of the Public Works Department on the possibility that this maintenance work be deferred until the repairs to the main pool in the Victoria Park complex have been completed. The Public Works Department, however, has advised that defer- ment of the maintenance may lead to serious damage to the mechanical plant which in turn could necessitate closure of the pool for a period substantially longer than the normal maintenance period of two months. At its meeting on 9 April 1980 the Recreation Select Committee agreed to the closure of Morrison Hill for its annual maintenance now so that it will be open again for the peak swimming period later this summer, thereby reducing public inconvenience as far as possible. By June 1980 it is expected that the new Chai Wan Swimming Pool complex will also be in operation and this too will help to reduce public inconvenience towards the end of the period when Morrison Hill Pool is closed.
As the need to close the main pool in the Victoria Park complex for repairs came to notice during the winter maintenance period, no bookings for the pool were accepted and applicants were referred to other swimming pools.
As regards the Urban Council's Learn-to-Swim Scheme which will begin on 14 April, the closure of the main pool at Victoria Park will result in the number of classes held there being reduced from 7 to 3 for the first two series. Thereafter the Scheme will carry on as planned.
MR. YOUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in case the closure of Victoria Park extends to much longer than originally envisaged, then in that case will the effect on the Learn-to-Swim Scheme be more serious than as indicated in the reply?
MR. Lo (in English):-At the moment, we do not know how long the Victoria Park pool will have to be closed. Obviously, if it is closed for a lengthy period, there will be some effect on the Learn-to-Swim Scheme. We have to see how the situation develops.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it is a distress to me to hear that the Urban Council does not know how long the Victoria Park swimming pool will be closed. Could not the Chairman give some indication as to whether it is a matter of a month or two, 6 months, or the whole of the year?
MR. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the case is that this is not a regular maintenance of the swimming pool. The swimming pool has sprung a substantial leak to the extent that something in the region of 2,500 gallons of water an hour was leaking out, so that is something very substantial.
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Up to the Recreation Select Committee meeting last Wednesday, 9 April, I think it was still not known what exactly is causing this leak. Until we find out exactly what it is, I am afraid I cannot give an answer as to the length of period during which we have to close the swimming pool.
MR. BERNACCHI (in English):-Can the Chairman give an undertaking that Members will be informed how long approximately as soon as he himself knows?
MR. Lo (in English):-Certainly, Mr. Chairman, when we find out what is wrong and how long it is estimated to put it right, publicity will be given not just to Members, but to all the public who will be affected and would-be swimmers wanting to swim in the pool.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE (in English):-The paper refers to the new Chai Wan swimming complex expected to be in operation in June. This is now mid of April, I think something more definite than that would be forthcoming.
MR. Lo (in English):-In fact, I cannot give a definite answer more than that we hope it would be finished in June, but I cannot be more specific.
MR. FORSGATE (in English):--Has an opening date for the CUC to open it been decided yet?
MR. Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I think I defer to you.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-The date has been fixed but the manner of opening has not yet been decided. (Laughter).
MOTIONS
1. MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE SELECT COM- MITTEE, moved the following motion:-
'RESOLVED that the Urban Council Financial (Amendment) By-laws 1980 be made under section 37 of the Urban Council Ordinance, Cap. 101.'
He said (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I rise to move the motion standing in my name:
"THAT the Urban Council Financial (Amendment) By-laws 1980 be made under section 37 of the Urban Council Ordinance, Cap. 101.'
The amendments arise from the Council's decision to change the name of the Cultural Affairs Select Committee to Cultural Services Select Committee which will now absorb the previous Libraries and Museums Select Com- mittees. The Council has also decided to change the name of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to simply Recreation Select Committee.
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