Public engagement exercise for Kai Tak Sports Park launched
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     A public engagement exercise for the Kai Tak Sports Park was launched today (May 20) to provide information on the planning of the project and collect public views about the Sports Park. The engagement exercise includes the launch of a dedicated project website, roving exhibitions in various locations across the territory, a questionnaire survey and consultations with the District Councils concerned. The exercise will end on July 19.

     "The Kai Tak Sports Park will be spread across about 28 hectares. It is the most important Hong Kong sports infrastructure project of recent decades and the sports park will be the largest in Hong Kong. The Sports Park will provide multi-purpose sports venues that will allow the hosting of major international sports events and provide our athletes with more opportunities to compete at a home venue with players from other parts of the world. It will also provide many facilities for professional and amateur athletes as well as members of the public to enjoy," a spokesman for the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) said.

     "The Government conducted a three-stage public participation programme from 2004 to 2006 to collect public and stakeholders' views on the Kai Tak Development. The community generally envisaged Kai Tak as a hub of sports, recreation, entertainment, tourism and quality housing. In the past few years, the HAB has conducted a number consultancy studies on the Sports Park so that the planning and facilities of the Sports Park would meet community needs for sports facilities, provide advanced and multi-purpose sports venues for hosting high-level competitions, and contribute further to the sports development of Hong Kong, i.e. to promote sport in the community, to support elite sport and to make Hong Kong a centre for major international sports events," he said.

     The key sports facilities of the Kai Tak Sports Park will include a main stadium with a seating capacity of around 50,000 allowing for hosting major sports events such as international football and rugby matches, and leisure and entertainment events and other uses such as concerts, carnivals and large community events; a public sports ground with a seating capacity of around 5,000 suitable for hosting school athletic events, athletic training and local football matches and open for members of public to jog, exercise and play football during non-event days; and an indoor sports arena with a seating capacity of around 7,000 providing a playing surface equivalent to around 30 standard badminton courts during non-event days for community badminton, basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports activities.

     The Sports Park will also provide a landscaped park with an area of more than 7 hectares for the public to relax or enjoy outdoor exercise. Facilities including a children's playground, a fitness area, a jogging track, a cycling track and outdoor sports courts will be constructed. Other facilities under planning include ancillary facilities such as retail space, food and beverage areas, a hotel and office space for the sports community and related industries.

     The location map and master layout plan of the Kai Tak Sports Park are attached for reference. Members of the public may also visit the website for the Kai Tak Sports Park at www.KaiTakSportsPark.hk. During the period of the public engagement exercise, roving exhibitions will be held at various locations across the territory to introduce the Kai Tak Sports Park project including its vision, its location and the proposed scope of facilities.
 
     A full list of venues and the schedule for the roving exhibition are available on the website. The roving exhibitions will be held from 10am to 6pm and the exhibition venues for May are as follows:

Period             Place
------             -----
May 20 to 22       Lam Tin (East) Community Hall
                   Hong Kong Central Library
                   Yau Oi Sports Centre, Tuen Mun

May 23 to 29       Kai Tak Community Hall
                   Queen Elizabeth Stadium
                   Tai Po Hui Sports Centre

May 23 to July 10  Hong Kong Sports Institute
                   Olympic House, So Kon Po

May 30 to June 2   Chai Wan Sports Centre

May 30 to June 5   Choi Wan Estate Community
                    Centre
                   Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre,
                   Sha Tin

     The spokesman said, "To facilitate better planning for the development of the Kai Tak Sports Park, we hope members of the public will visit the roving exhibition and express their views by completing a questionnaire either during their visit or on the Sports Park's website."

Ends/Friday, May 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 11:25

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