Leisure centre at last for neglected estate
Tiu Keng Leng is to get its first public leisure centre, more than a decade after residents first moved into two big public housing estates in the area, formerly known as Rennie's Mill.
The Legislative Council will soon consider an application from the Home Affairs Bureau for HK$750 million to finance the project on a 1.8-hectare site.
One of the aims of the new centre is to help head off social problems because Tiu Keng Leng has many people living on welfare.
It will include a library, public open space, a sports centre with an arena that can hold 1,200, activity rooms, a fitness room and an outdoor climbing wall.
Sai Kung district councillor Gary Fan Kwok-wai said the facility was long overdue.
'There are two large public housing estates in Tiu Keng Leng,' Fan said. 'Apart from small basketball courts and parks within the estates, and the clubhouses of three private housing sites, there are no other recreational facilities in the area.
'The complex will hopefully encourage more young people to take part in regular physical activities, which should help alleviate gang problems. The housing estates have a high proportion of people living on welfare.'
Tiu Keng Leng is one of the three areas that make up Tseung Kwan O district.
A Home Affairs paper submitted to Legco said Tseung Kwan O's population of 367,000 was expected to rise to 430,100 by 2019, warranting 73.5 hectares of public open space. The current population required six sports centres under urban planning standards.
Construction of the new centre is due to start in October and it should be ready for use in 2014.
