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The Government today (April 1) announced that the Chief Executive-in-Council had approved the grant of a site for the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association (HKGGA) to develop its new headquarters at the junction of Ferry Street and Jordan Road, to support the association's growth and development.
HKGGA¡¦s existing headquarters site at Gascoigne Road will be surrendered to the Government for other uses.
HKGGA was established in 1916 with the aim of developing the potential of girls and women and training them to be responsible world citizens. The Guiding Movement has developed in Hong Kong for about 90 years and has made a significant contribution to youth training, community service and the promotion of exchanges across various sectors. HKGGA has undergone substantial growth since the opening of its existing headquarters in 1981, with its membership expanding from 18,000 at the time to around 60,000 today. Its existing facilities have become inadequate to cope with the organisation¡¦s growth.
The site for HKGGA's development of a new composite headquarters covers a footprint area of 2,670 square metres. The new headquarters would have a total gross floor area of 21,360 square metres, comprising an office of 6,200 square metres, dormitories of 300 square metres, and hostel accommodation of 14,860 square metres.
The office area will be used by staff/members for work, meetings, training and exchange activities, while the dormitory would be mainly used by HKGGA members in connection with its residential training, seminars and courses.
"HKGGA's new headquarters can support the organisation's development, with the hostel portion providing accommodation for participants and guests of local and international events held by HKGGA, as well as other members of the public and visitors. We believe the community will welcome the various community services to be provided in the new headquarters," a government spokesman said.
In accordance with prevailing policy, HKGGA would be charged a nominal land premium for the office accommodation, land premium at one-third of the full market value for the dormitory, and land premium at full market value for the hostel accommodation.
HKGGA estimates that the project could be completed in three and a half years, and anticipates about 50 jobs to be created in the pre-construction stage, about 250 jobs during construction and about 500 jobs for running the facilities.
Ends/Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:03
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