ENG-1980 — Page 212

PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Buildings

153

The three-year building boom continued into 1980 but with a significant reduction in in- flationary pressures on the industry. The acceleration in building costs experienced in recent years had begun to show signs of easing in the third quarter of 1979, and this trend continued throughout 1980. During the 12 months from July, 1979, to June, 1980, wage rates increased by 31 per cent compared with 21 per cent for the previous corresponding period. Materials increased by 12 per cent (compared with 57 per cent), and the consolidated index covering both labour and materials rose by only 13 per cent (compared with 38 per cent). An analysis of tenders did not show such a marked difference, however, and the increase in tender prices was 23 per cent for the same corresponding periods.

One of the most notable projects completed in 1980 was the Hong Kong Space Museum. This forms part of a proposed Cultural Centre situated on a prominent waterfront site at the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula. The dominant feature of the Space Museum, which was opened in October, 1980, is the egg-shaped structure housing the sky theatre where about 320 visitors can make imaginary trips into space. The post-tensioned structure is set within a shallow pool to give a floating effect, and has an adjoining two-storey rectangular block housing a lecture hall and solar sciences hall. Work was carefully programmed so that the sophisticated audio-visual equipment was installed largely within the construction period.

Other building projects completed in Kowloon included a computerised International Mail Centre at Hung Hom and several projects at Hong Kong International Airport, including a passenger pier and apron deck, two air bridges, the podium for the western half of the multi-storey carpark and a new restaurant and kitchen. all of which were constructed and brought into use while maintaining the normal operation of the airport's facilities.-

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The Queen Elizabeth Stadium at Morrison Hill on Hong Kong Island, which was partly financed by the Royal Visit Commemorative Fund marking the visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Hong Kong in May, 1975, and by the sale of Royal Visit gold coins, was opened in August, 1980. The building can be adapted for a wide variety of indoor sporting and other events and has a mixture of fixed and retractable seats. Sportsmen preparing for events have the use of special warm-up and practice facilities, and visiting teams can be fully boarded in hostel accommodation within the complex.

Other building projects completed on Hong Kong Island included an eight-pool swimming complex at Chai Wan; the first phase of a dental teaching hospital at Sai Ying Pun; a temporary fire station at Garden Road; senior staff quarters at Queen Mary Hospital; Stage I, Phase I of non-departmental quarters at Mount Butler; and a new residence for the Deputy Commander British Forces at Stanley Fort.

In the New Territories the Tsuen Wan Town Hall was opened in February by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra. Facilities there include an auditorium seating 1,500, an activities hall, an exhibition gallery and a landscaped garden. The multi-purpose audi- torium is modelled on the City Hall Concert Hall but has numerous improvements and provision is made throughout the complex for physically handicapped people.

Other works completed in the New Territories included a new mental hospital at South Kwai Chung; a clinic at Sha Tin; an indoor games hall at Kwai Chung; and an extension to Fanling Hospital.

Projects under construction at the end of 1980 included an air mail centre at Kai Tak; village housing at Ngau Chi Wan; swimming pools at Sha Tin and Yuen Long; a market at Tin Wan; two markets at Tuen Mun; a teaching hospital and staff quarters at Sha Tin;