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Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (October 31):
Question:
I have received views from members of the public that the design of old community centres (¡§CCs¡¨) in various districts is relatively outdated (such as the lack of lifts, etc.), failing to meet users' needs and causing inconvenience to toddlers, the elderly and disabled persons. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it has assessed the basic facilities of the above CCs (including examining their usages and target patrons, and comparing them with the current design standards), with a view to providing suitable services according to users' needs; if so, of the assessment results; if not, the reasons for that; and
(b) it will consider implementing improvement works (such as retrofitting lifts, etc) in old CCs which have a high patronage and are used by toddlers, the elderly and disabled persons?
Reply:
Madam President,
There are altogether 38 Community Centres (CCs) under the management of the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the day-to-day management of which is carried out by the respective district Community Hall/Community Centre Management Committee. District Offices (DOs) assess local needs for the provision of facilities in the CCs from time to time and carry out improvement projects such as installing ramps at main entrances to allow easy access by those using wheelchairs, the elderly and small children. In assessing local needs, DOs will take into account views of the District Facilities Management Committee, Community Centre/Community Hall Management Committee as well as members of the public. In planning for new community facilities, HAD will ensure that the buildings are barrier free for the disabled, elderly and small children by making reference to the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 1997 published by the Buildings Department.
The HAD has been taking action to gradually improve the facilities at the 38 CCs, including installing child-specific facilities such as smaller water closets, urinal bowls and lavatory basins at appropriate height level for use by children in existing CCs. Of the 38 CCs, two are not fitted with toilets for the disabled, with one being a historical building and the other due to structural constraints. Twenty-eight CCs are already installed with lifts. As to the remaining 10 CCs, the Architectural Services Department (ASD) is installing a lift each at Tai Hang Tung CC in Sham Shui Po and Princess Alexandra CC in Tsuen Wan, and is considering our proposal to install one at the Tai Wo Hau CC in Kwai Tsing. The Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall is not installed with a lift because it has only one storey. Lifts cannot be installed at the remaining 6 CCs for various reasons, including space limitation, structural constraints and one of the centres is a heritage building.
Ends/Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:14
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