1991 — Page 98

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. RONNIE WONG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I think until we have an exact figure of population in Eastern District, I don't think the Council/ Department would consider building another swimming pool in that area.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-Why not? That is my question? Why not consider an obvious fact from the fact that new Housing Authority flats are being built. The whole of Shau Kei Wan will change its composition within two years. Why not consider this now instead of in two years time i.e. rather than saying 'Oh, two years, sorry, we shall consider it then and produce another swimming pool 3 or 4 years after that.'

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Can you attempt to answer or pass it on to the Recreation Select Committee for consideration?

MR. RONNIE WONG (in English):-I think we are building our swimming pool purely based on the town planning standard. As long as we have some concrete figures from the Department, I think we cannot consider. It is very obvious that the policy is laid down and Mr. BERNACCHI knows about it.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-We got the impression that the population is increasing, but there is no official statistics for us to consider.

MISS CHRISTINA TING (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I believe that the Urban Council is always mindful of public interest. The District Board is the best venue to reflect public opinion. Now, all the 32 members of the Eastern District Board already wrote in to urge the Urban Council to consider the provision of the third swimming pool. They hope very much that the Recreation Select Committee can consider it. We all know that population would increase and I would try to provide the actual statistics for you to consider building an all weather swimming pool in Eastern District.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Again, it is not a question. I think the Recreation Select Committee will take this on for further discussion.

5. MS. ANNA TANG asked the following question (in Cantonese):-More and more people participate in fitness or social activities held in the Council's sports venues after work. Swimming is one of the popular activities enjoyed by young people. However, some swimming pools are often closed immediately after office hours for use by the hiring groups. This sort of arrangement causes much inconvenience to the individual residents who feel that it is unfair to them.

(a) Are the opening hours of all Urban Council swimming pools standardized? (b) What is the basis for deciding the opening hours?

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question concerns the opening hours of Urban Council swimming pools. The first part asks whether opening hours are standardized in all pools. The second part asks the basis for deciding the opening hours.

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opening hours of Urban Council swimming pools. The first part asks whether opening hours are standardized in all pools. The second part asks the basis for deciding the opening hours.

Since 1988/89 and except for Victoria Park, Morrison Hill and Kowloon Park, the Urban Council's ten other swimming pools have operated on a single session basis, running from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. These arrangements were approved by the Council as a result of a successful trial conducted from May to October 1987. This had indicated that the single session was convenient for most users. It had also helped to increase attendance at some of the less popular pools.

An exception was made for the three pools (Victoria Park, Morrison Hill and Kowloon Park) where a three session arrangement was adopted. These pools are relatively small and have limited facilities when compared with standard UC pool complexes. It was also considered that a better turnover of swimmers was required at these venues.

The Council has delegated authority to the Department to adjust pool opening hours to meet changes in demand. In exercising this authority and in order to strike a fair balance, the Department is mindful of the interests of the different user groups. That is the general public and the various national sports bodies and swimming clubs. As regards the public users, the Department has been monitoring their needs and as a result, I am pleased to report that with effect from 1 April 1992, a two session arrangement will be introduced at Morrison Hill, Victoria Park and Kowloon Park (This is a piece of news I am willing to share with you). The new sessions will run from 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. The break in between is mainly for cleansing and meal time for the staff. It is hoped that the new arrangements will be well received by the public, particularly by office workers who have found the previous arrangements inconvenient.

6. MS. ANNA TANG asked the following question (in Cantonese):-I have recently received complaints from heads of schools and the public that some of the vacated premises or sites for development often become the breeding grounds for mosquitoes or hiding places for rodents and pests, thus affecting environmental hygiene.

(a) What measures will be taken by the Urban Services Department to resolve the above problem?

(b) After baiting, how does the Department dispose of the dead rodents?

MR. PAO PING-WING, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This two-part question concerns mosquito and rodent infestation. The first part enquires about the measures that are being taken by the Department to prevent vacated buildings and sites pending development from becoming breeding grounds for pests.

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