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Following is a question by the Hon Leung Che-cheung and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (June 18):
Question:
In July last year, an international friendly soccer match was held at the Hong Kong Stadium (the Stadium). As the turf of the Stadium was not in good condition, coupled with inclement weather at that time, the pitch became muddy soon after the match had started. The Government subsequently indicated that it would formulate short, medium and long term measures to improve the quality of the turf of the Stadium. Regarding the management of turfs of sports grounds under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the measures taken by LCSD since July last year for improving the quality of the turfs of the Stadium and other sports grounds as well as the effectiveness of such measures;
(2) whether it has regularly inspected the quality of the turfs of the Stadium and other sports grounds since July last year; if it has, of the standards and results of the inspections; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) of the current staff establishment within LCSD responsible for the management of the turfs of sports grounds; whether LCSD has, in recruiting experts in the management of turf pitches, set standardised requirements for candidates regarding the professional qualifications they must hold and their experience in managing turfs in sub-tropical regions; if it has not, of the reasons for that; and
(4) whether it will allocate more resources to improve the quality of turfs of the Stadium and other sports grounds; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(1) and (4) In the past year, the Government had taken various measures to improve the Hong Kong Stadium (the Stadium) and other natural turf football pitches. With regard to the Stadium, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) set up an Expert Group on the Hong Kong Stadium Turf Pitch in August 2013 to provide expert advice on the measures to be adopted to enhance the quality of the Stadium turf pitch. Having studied the data on the current condition of the Stadium pitch and its expected usage, the Expert Group recommended that the entire pitch should be reconstructed, including re-designing and replacing the drainage and irrigation systems, and replacing the entire soil structure and the turf. The LCSD is conducting a study on specific technical issues relating to the reconstruction of the Stadium pitch. It is expected that the reconstruction project will commence in the second quarter of 2015.
On the other hand, the LCSD provided the Stadium with more manpower and horticultural machinery to carry out intensive and enhanced turf maintenance work. The contingency plans of the Stadium have also been reviewed to enhance the ability of venue staff to respond to emergencies concerning the turf pitch during major events.
The specific improvement measures being or to be implemented for other natural turf pitches managed by the LCSD include:
(1) stepping up the turf maintenance programme by extending the annual re-turfing programme of natural turf pitches in summer from six to eight weeks and the weekly maintenance programme from one day to one and a half days so as to allow more comprehensive maintenance works to be carried out and more time for turf recovery;
(2) setting up a specialised Sports Turf Management Section to provide professional expertise and technical support for the management and maintenance of the natural sports turf pitches;
(3) providing LCSD staff with more in-depth training on turf management and maintenance on an on-going basis. In 2014-15, the Department will organise five overseas training programmes and three local programmes for over 190 staff to enhance their expertise and knowledge in the field; and
(4) procuring more advanced equipment and tools such as turf growth lights and turf fans and to engage more skilled workers to enable the Department to carry out its sports turf maintenance works more effectively and efficiently.
The Government has earmarked around $16 million in 2014-15 for the implementation of the above improvement measures.
(2) In accordance with the LCSD's established guidelines, the personnel responsible for the maintenance of the Stadium and other natural turf football pitches carry out routine turf maintenance work for different months and growing seasons. The work includes watering, mowing, weeding, pest and disease control, fertilising, scarifying, aerating, topdressing and turf repair. Assessment and analysis are conducted against the standards set out in the LCSD's horticultural manuals and turf maintenance guidelines with reference to turf maintenance indicators to ensure that the turf is functional. Such indicators concern, inter alia, the composition, structure and nutrition of the soil, pests and diseases, and the chemical composition of water samples from the irrigation system. Previous assessment results show that the turf maintenance indicators of the Stadium and other natural turf football pitches generally meet the required standards.
(3) At present, the 51 natural turf pitches provided by the LCSD are managed and maintained by some 400 staff, most of whom have undertaken relevant training or work experience. They carry out routine turf maintenance work in accordance with to the relevant guidelines and operational manuals of the Department.
The LCSD set up a Sports Turf Management Section in May 2014 to strengthen the turf management of natural turf football pitches and provide more professional advice and technical support for the natural turf pitches (including the Stadium) managed by the Department. The Section will be led by a section head, who is required to be experienced in managing major turf stadiums with at least a recognised diploma in sports turf management. The holder of the post must also have ample knowledge of and proven operational experience in the common turf grass species used for natural turf pitches in the tropical or sub-tropical region.
Ends/Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:58
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