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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, in the Legislative Council today (January 26):

Question:

In reply to a question raised in this Council on November 3 last year, the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands advised that a piece of land in Area 4, Tai Po designated for use as a swimming pool complex with ancillary facilities had been granted by way of private treaty for more than 12 months, and that the grantee had obtained funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for redeveloping the piece of land. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

(a) of the latest progress of the plan to build the swimming pool complex;

(b) whether the above funding has met with obstacles; if so, of the details;

(c) whether the numbers of swimming pool and leisure pool complexes currently in Tai Po have met the relevant standards stipulated in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines; if not, of the plan to increase the numbers of such facilities in the district; and

(d) whether the authorities will, on grounds that Tai Po is far away from bathing beaches, consider increasing the numbers of swimming pool or leisure pool complexes in the district?

Reply :

My replies to the four parts of the question are as follows:

(a) The subject piece of land located in Area 4, Tai Po is designated for the development of a swimming pool complex with ancillary facilities. The Tai Po Sports Association (TPSA) is the grantee and a swimming pool was built in 1988. With the passage of time, the swimming pool became dilapidated and was finally closed in 1999. TPSA has been granted funds by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for the redevelopment of the swimming pool complex. However, during the redevelopment of the swimming pool complex, the responsible architect/authorised person and the registered structural engineer have not properly fulfilled their duties in carrying out the project. The redevelopment of the swimming pool complex is now put on hold. TPSA is seeking to resolve the issues early through legal means. We are actively providing assistance in identifying a suitable agent to take up the project from TPSA.

(b) We understand that TPSA submitted to the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) about a month ago a report on the measurement of works implemented on site so far with supporting invoices for reimbursement purpose. HKJC is now processing the funding application.

(c) According to the Planning Department's latest projections of population distribution, Tai Po District has a population of around 300,000. In addition to TPSA swimming pool, the district is provided with the "Tai Po Swimming Pool" run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department with one main pool, two teaching pools, one diving pool, one children pool and one leisure pool. With reference to the "Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines", one swimming pool complex could be provided in a district attaining a population of 287,000 and one leisure pool should be provided per district. The swimming pool facilities in Tai Po District have generally met the relevant standard.

(d) The "Tai Po Swimming Pool" in Tai Po District has generally met the planning standard for swimming pool facilities. The Chief Executive has recently announced in his Policy Address that 25 municipal projects will be implemented with priority, and one of which is the development of an artificial beach at Lung Mei. The project would help to provide more swimming venues for local residents as well as other residents in Hong Kong. We will carry out the planning work of the project as early as possible.

Ends/Wednesday, January 26, 2005

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