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However, I am prepared to recommend to the Culture Select Committee to broaden the scope to include other Urban Council publications once operational details are worked out.
MR. SULKE (in English):—I was under the impression that the situation of the shop given up by Tom LEE was very poor and that in fact we get much more traffic in the situation where we are now than we would get if we move into the other one. Would the Committee please keep that in mind?
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in fact it is a misnomer to consider the back part of City Hall as the rear entrance. There is very heavy traffic flow coming through and after the Connaught Road flyover construction and the elevated pedestrian walkway are completed, it will be as popular as the front entrance of the City Hall. It is not just a matter of location that the previous tenants found it unprofitable, there seems to be other reasons for that. It is certainly not my suggestion to relocate the present bookshop to the vacant space where it is a subject of today's question.
Mr. Peter Chan (in English):—I do not know whether the Chairman of the Culture Select Committee agreed that even one Department just left hand turning to the right hand how come we take so long to have this matter and it had to be submitted by the Department to the various Sub-Committees? I understand that this Tom Lee Bookshop is left vacant for such a long time and yet the left hand is not agreed with the right hand, although within the same person, under the banner of the Urban Council. Don't you think that is a bit too long? Now, the recommendation still is not yet to the Committee which I am a member, under Mr. FUNG's leadership.
MR. Lawrence FUNG (in English):- Mr. Chairman, I do not know whether Mr. Peter CHAN, but my left hand certainly knows what my right hand is doing. The USD is certainly not under my control.
12.
MR. FAN KAM-PING, asked the following question (in English):—I am glad to learn that the Council has approved $2 million to improve the Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground. However, the improvement does not include the most essential part of the ground--the running track. May I ask:
(1) If re-surfacing of the running track will be included in the improvements and if the answer is yes, when will the repairs be carried out?
(2) Will the Council extend the same kind of improvement works to the Mong Kok Stadium which is the most heavily used sports ground in Kowloon and is urgently in need of improvement?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-The first part of the question asks if resurfacing of the running track will be included in planned improvements to Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground and if so when will the resurfacing be carried out.
In addition to the items included in the present $2M package of improvements to Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground, a separate item has been initiated for the resurfacing and upgrading of the running track. Work can only commence about mid-1987 however because it is important that we tackle this improvement work only after the new Kowloon Bay Sports Ground comes into operation. This will ensure the continued availability of athletic facilities to schools and other users in the area. A new running track at Kowloon Tsai Park should be completed by early 1988.
He said (in English): -The second part of the question asks whether similar improvement works will be made at the Mong Kok Stadium. The running track at Mong Kok Stadium is at present in good condition and with careful maintenance should continue to serve its purpose well. However, Members may wish to know that the Department is currently investigating the feasibility of making general improvements to Mong Kok Stadium including:
(a) replacement of the existing over-ground cables for the public address system by built-in cable conduits;
(b) improvement to the drainage channels on the edge of the playing field either by the removal of the kerbs or by covering them with an artificial surface;
(c) improvements to the irrigation system by the installation of an automatic water sprinkler system;
(d) erection of a roof over the spectator stands; and
(e) improvement to the wooden seats.
The Recreation Select Committee will be examining any proposals that arise from this general investigation at which time we will be taking stock of all of our athletic facilities, present and planned, in Kowloon.
MR. TONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, concerning option (a) regarding improvement works, it said that we can replace the over-ground cables with built-in cable conduits. As far as I know the PA system for the Mong Kok Stadium is in a poor condition, for example, if a command post is set up, people on the field cannot hear what is coming out from the PA system. I wonder if this aspect has been taken into consideration by the Committee.
MR. YOUNG (in Cantonese): This has been included, so we will certainly consider your point.
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However, I am prepared to recommend to the Culture Select Committee to
broaden the scope to include other Urban Council publications operational details are worked out.
once
MR. SULKE (in English):—I was under the impression that the situation of the shop given up by Tom LEE was very poor and that in fact we get much more
traffic in the situation where we are now than we would get if we move into the other one. Would the Committee please keep that in mind?
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in fact it is a misnomer to consider the back part of City Hall as the rear entrance. There is very heavy traffic flow coming through and after the Connaught Road flyover construction and the elevated pedestrian walkway are completed, it will be as popular as the front entrance of the City Hall. It is not just a matter of location that the previous tenants found it unprofitable, there seems to be other reasons for that. It is certainly not my suggestion to relocate the present bookshop to the vacant space where it is a subject of today's question.
Mr. Peter Chan (in English):—I do not know whether the Chairman of the Culture Select Committee agreed that even one Department just left hand turning to the right hand how come we take so long to have this matter and it had to be submitted by the Department to the various Sub-Committees? I understand that this Tom Lee Bookshop is left vacant for such a long time and yet the left hand is not agreed with the right hand, although within the same person, under the banner of the Urban Council. Don't you think that is a bit too long? Now, the recommendation still is not yet to the Committee which I am a member, under Mr. FUNG's leadership.
MR. Lawrence FUNG (in English):- Mr. Chairman, I do not know whether Mr. Peter CHAN, but my left hand certainly knows what my right hand is doing. The USD is certainly not under my control.
12.
MR. FAN KAM-PING, asked the following question (in English):—I am glad to learn that the Council has approved $2 million to improve the Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground. However, the improvement does not include the most essential part of the ground--the running track. May I ask:
(1) If re-surfacing of the running track will be included in the improvements
and if the answer is yes, when will the repairs be carried out?
(2) Will the Council extend the same kind of improvement works to the Mong Kok Stadium which is the most heavily used sports ground in Kowloon and is urgently in need of improvement?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-The first part of the question asks if resurfacing of the running track will be included in planned improvements to Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground and if so when will the resurfacing be
carried out.
In addition to the items included in the present $2M package of improve- ments to Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground, a separate item has been initiated for the resurfacing and upgrading of the running track. Work can only commence about mid-1987 however because it is important that we tackle this improvement work only after the new Kowloon Bay Sports Ground comes into operation. This will ensure the continued availability of athletic facilities to schools and other users in the area. A new running track at Kowloon Tsai Park should be completed by early 1988.
He said (in English): -The second part of the question asks whether similar improvement works will be made at the Mong Kok Stadium. The running track at Mong Kok Stadium is at present in good condition and with careful maintenance should continue to serve its purpose well. However, Members may wish to know that the Department is currently investigating the feasibility of making general improvements to Mong Kok Stadium including:
(a) replacement of the existing over-ground cables for the public address
system by built-in cable conduits;
(b) improvement to the drainage channels on the edge of the playing field either by the removal of the kerbs or by covering them with an artificial surface;
(c) improvements to the irrigation system by the installation of an
automatic water sprinkler system;
(d) erection of a roof over the spectator stands; and
(e) improvement to the wooden seats.
The Recreation Select Committee will be examining any proposals that arise from this general investigation at which time we will be taking stock of all of our athletic facilities, present and planned, in Kowloon.
MR. TONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, concerning option (a) regarding improvement works, it said that we can replace the over-ground cables with built-in cable conduits. As far as I know the PA system for the Mong Kok Stadium is in a poor condition, for example, if a command post is set up, people on the field cannot hear what is coming out from the PA system. I wonder if this aspect has been taken into consideration by the Committee.
MR. YOUNG (in Cantonese): This has been included, so we will certainly consider your point.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.