*******************************
Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan Wai-yip, and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (February 27):
Question:
Some members of the public have recently relayed to me that as there is no heated public swimming pool in Kwai Tsing District, residents of the district can only use the heated public swimming pool at Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool in Tsuen Wan if they wish to go swimming in winter, but that swimming pool is often very packed. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the districts among the 18 District Council districts in Hong Kong with no provision of heated public swimming pool, and the reasons for that;
(b) whether it has formulated any regulations or standards specifying the ratio of population size to the number of heated public swimming pools; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) whether it will consider building more heated public swimming pools to ensure that such facilities are available in each District Council district; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In view of the increasing public demand for year-round swimming pool facilities, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has provided additional heated swimming pool facilities to meet the needs of the public in recent years. Over the past two years, the LCSD has successively opened six new swimming pool complexes with heated swimming pool facilities, and converted an existing swimming pool into an indoor heated swimming pool.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(a) At present, the LCSD manages a total of 22 swimming pool complexes with heated swimming pool facilities, which are located in 15 District Council (DC) districts. Our plan is to provide at least one swimming pool complex with heated swimming pool facilities in each DC district. The three districts that are currently not provided with heated swimming pools are Kwai Tsing District, Tai Po District and Southern District.
In Kwai Tsing District, the LCSD is now planning to build a sports centre incorporating an indoor heated swimming pool in Area 4 (i.e. Chung Mei Road), Tsing Yi. We submitted an information paper to the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Home Affairs for circulation in February 2013, and Members raised no objection to this project. We will seek funding approval from the Public Works Subcommittee and the Finance Committee of the LegCo in mid 2013. Subject to funding approval, construction works are expected to commence in late 2013 for completion in early 2017.
In Tai Po District, the LCSD is planning the development of a sports centre incorporating an indoor heated swimming pool in Plover Cove Road in Area 1, Tai Po. We will follow up on the preparation work for this project to facilitate its early implementation.
In Southern District, the LCSD has invited relevant departments to study the feasibility of constructing a heated swimming pool or converting an existing pool into a heated pool at Pao Yue Kong Swimming Pool. Relevant departments are now conducting preliminary assessments on the project proposal. If it is found feasible, the LCSD will take follow-up actions and consult the District Council on the project scope.
(b) and (c) As mentioned above, we plan to provide at least one swimming pool complex with heated swimming pool facilities in each DC district. At present, the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines do not set out the standard provision for heated swimming pools, but it is recommended that where resources permit, new swimming pool complexes should include heated swimming pools to promote year-round swimming habits. The LCSD has been following this guideline in planning for new swimming pool complexes since 2000. In addition, the department has also considered the inclusion of new heated swimming pool facilities in the redevelopment or improvement works to existing swimming pool complexes. For example, Victoria Park Swimming Pool Complex and Kwun Tong Swimming Pool Complex will be equipped with heated swimming pool facilities upon completion of the redevelopment works. It is expected that the facilities can be opened for public use within 2013.
We will continue to take into account factors such as the population of the districts, public demand for heated swimming pool facilities, the utilisation rates of existing heated swimming pool facilities and the views of DCs in considering the provision of additional heated swimming pool facilities.
Ends/Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 13:23
NNNN
