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LCQ8: Proposed Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O
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     Following is a question by the Hon Stanley Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, in the Legislative Council today (November 2):
 
Question:
 
     The Government proposed in 2011 to commence initial planning for the project of Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O (the Water Sports Centre), and it indicated in January this year that the relevant technical feasibility study was being prepared. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) when the aforesaid feasibility study is expected to be completed;

(2) of the following information on the Water Sports Centre: the facilities to be provided, the water sports activities to be offered, the number of persons that can be accommodated in the same time slot, and the mode of operation;

(3) how it ensures that the aforesaid feasibility study fully considers the demand of the public for water recreation facilities in future; and

(4) whether it has assessed how the Water Sports Centre will promote the culture of water recreation, as well as sports and tourism development in Hong Kong?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The reply to the questions raised by the Hon Stanley Li is as follows:
 
(1) The Technical Feasibility Study for the implementation of the Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O has now been completed and submitted to the relevant bureau for approval. Upon approval, the Government will take forward the project in accordance with the established procedures for public works projects. The Government will conduct detailed design of the Water Sports Centre and submit the funding application to the Legislative Council for consideration in due course.
 
(2) Water sports to be offered by the Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O, include sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and dragon boating. The proposed facilities of the project are as follows:
 
(a) a main service building;
(b) covered storage areas for rescue boats and coaching boats;
(c) boatsheds with racks for dinghies, windsurfing boards, kayaks, dragon boats, various water sports accessories, buoyancy aids and wetsuits;
(d) a workshop for maintenance and repairs;
(e) boat parks for double-handed dinghies;
(f) open space for rigging, derigging, tuning and repairing of water sports accessories;
(g) a resting place, covered lecture areas, outdoor showers and a spectator terrace for 200 spectators adjacent to the seawall;
(h) launching facilities/slipways for all boats/crafts (including sailing boats, windsurfing boards, kayaks and dragon boats) as well as rescue boats and coaching boats, with installation of winch system;
(i) coastal facilities (including steps or levels on the seawall to serve as spectator stand for competitions) and a pier with landing steps and mooring points for rescue boats; and
(j) other ancillary facilities.
 
     The proposed Water Sports Centre will be managed and operated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). It is estimated to provide water sports training and facility hiring services for 120 users daily.
 
(3) The Technical Feasibility Study for the Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O aimed at exploring the technical feasibility for the proposed facilities. When formulating the proposed facilities of the Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O, the LCSD has taken into account various factors holistically, including public demand for facilities for water recreation and sports activities, views of the national sports associations concerned and the local community, the Government's sports policies, the location as well as constraints of the project site.
 
     Currently, the LCSD manages five water sports centres, namely the Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre and the Jockey Club Wong Shek Water Sports Centre in Tai Po District, the Chong Hing Water Sports Centre in Sai Kung District, as well as the St Stephen's Beach Water Sports Centre and the Stanley Main Beach Water Sports Centre in Southern District. These water sports centres are territory-wide recreation and sports facilities, which altogether provide the public with more than 5 000 different water sports training courses, public fun day programmes, competitions and craft rental services annually. Upon its completion, the Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O, is expected to offer 1 000 additional water sports training courses, public fun day activities and competitions for public participation, and provide craft rental service to meet the public demand for water sports annually.
 
(4) Tseung Kwan O is a U-shaped inner bay surrounded by hills on three sides. The marine traffic there is not busy. With the mouth of the bay facing the southwest, it is situated at a safe distance from the principal fairways through which vessels enter and leave Victoria Harbour. Hence, the inner bay environment is suitable for water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and dragon boating. As for the Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O, it is conveniently located near to the MTR station.
 
     As aforementioned, upon its completion, the Water Sports Centre in Area 77, Tseung Kwan O, will increase the total number of activities of water sports centres under the LCSD by around 20 per cent. In addition to a variety of regular water sports training courses, there will also be activities and competitions organised for dragon boating, sailing and windsurfing, with a view to enhancing the public's interest in water sports and improving the skills of participants. Given the strategic location of the Water Sports Centre, it is envisaged that the public will be attracted thereat to participate in water sports and watch competitions, thereby contributing to the development of water sports locally.
 
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:15
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