Page 109 of 498
106
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
By offering free use of venues during non-peak hours to schools, on the one hand the usage rate during off-peak hours will be increased, and in the long term it will help students and citizens to attain higher standards at sports. In fact, there is a great public demand for sports activities. A survey conducted during the Council's fortnight of sports activities for the elderly shows that more than 20% of the elderly hope to participate in physical exercises of Tai-chi or Ba Duan Jin and another 10% are interested in ball games. These 2 types of sports activities far exceed others in their popularity among the elderly, reflecting the need of the elderly for the use of IGHS. Over 70% of the interviewees indicated a preference to participate in sports activities in the morning. Therefore, there is room for development in the proposal to offer free use of pitches during non-peak hours. It will encourage subvented bodies and schools to organize more activities for the elderly and other sectors of our population.
In passing, I must mention that some ball games such as indoor croquet or indoor bowls are very popular, but since prior preparation must be made at the venue, only few people can have the chance to play. During annual fun days or the fortnight for the elderly run by the Council, chances are provided. I suggest that in our plans for future facilities, we should pay attention to such sports and perhaps arrange for such sports to be held at our existing venues. In this way, the usage rate of our IGHS will be increased.
In order that the free use of facilities during non-peak hours does not affect our revenue as a result of popularity and that the chances of other users are not jeopardised, I suggest that we set the upper limit of usage to 50%. The remaining 50% can still be offered to other users or at half price to other organizations with prior booking. If such organizations reserve venues at non-peak hours, no upper limit is required. I am sure this machinery will protect the usage right of individuals and at the same time increase the usage rate of IGHS by attracting above 2 categories of users. I am seeking support for my motion from fellow members.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
THE HON. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, there are at present 38 IGHS under the Council throughout Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. These halls popularize sports and provide venues for exercises. As far as I know, their usage rates during peak hours are very high so that many citizens are turned away in disappointment. The problem is with non-peak hours. As the majority of our citizens go to work, the non-usage rate during off-peak hours is high, sometimes even over 50%. I think this is why the overall usage rate of our IGHS is dragged down. The average usage rate in 1993/94 was 60%. In 1994/95, it improved slightly to 65%. In some of the venues, the reported user rate was even lower. It could be due to their poor accessibility
Page 109 of 498
Page 109 of 498
Page 109 of 498
Page 109 of 498
106
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
By offering free use of venues during non-peak hours to schools, on the one hand the usage rate during off-peak hours will be increased, and in the long term it will help students and citizens to attain higher standards at sports. In fact, there is a great public demand for sports activities. A survey conducted during the Council's fortnight of sports activities for the elderly shows that more than 20% of the elderly hope to participate in physical exercises of Tai- chi or Ba Duan Jin and another 10% are interested in ball games. These 2 types of sports activities far exceed others in their popularity among the elderly, reflecting the need of the elderly for the use of IGHS. Over 70% of the interviewees indicated a preference to participate in sports activities in the morning. Therefore, there is room for development in the proposal to offer free use of pitches during non-peak hours. It will encourage subvented bodies and schools to organize more activities for the elderly and other sectors of our population.
In passing, I must mention that some ball games such as indoor croquet or indoor bowls are very popular, but since prior preparation must be made at the venue, only few people can have the chance to play. During annual fun days or the fortnight for the elderly run by the Council, chances are provided. I suggest that in our plans for future facilities, we should pay attention to such sports and perhaps arrange for such sports to be held at our existing venues. In this way, the usage rate of our IGHS will be increased.
In order that the free use of facilities during non-peak hours does not affect our revenue as a result of popularity and that the chances of other users are not jeopardised, I suggest that we set the upper limit of usage to 50%. The remaining 50% can still be offered to other users or at half price to other organizations with prior booking. If such organizations reserve venues at non- peak hours, no upper limit is required. I am sure this machinery will protect the usage right of individuals and at the same time increase the usage rate of IGHS by attracting above 2 categories of users. I am seeking support for my motion from fellow members.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
THE HON. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, there are at present 38 IGHS under the Council throughout Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. These halls popularize sports and provide venues for exercises. As far as I know, their usage rates during peak hours are very high so that many citizens are turned away in disappointment. The problem is with non-peak hours. As the majority of our citizens go to work, the non-usage rate during off-peak hours is high, sometimes even over 50%. I think this is why the overall usage rate of our IGHS is dragged down. The average usage rate in 1993/94 was 60%. In 1994/95, it improved slightly to 65%. In some of the venues, the reported user rate was even lower. It could be due to their poor accessibility
Page 109 of 498
Page 109 of 498
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