A thrill of horror and apprehension shot up my spine. The Urban Council wants to build a vastly expensive sports arena on the West Kowloon reclamation, one that can also be used for pop shows. Haven't we heard this song before? What is even more ominous is that some councillors are demanding they play an active role in its planning and development. Heaven help us.
The same council also aims to spend $1 billion on improving Victoria Park and nearby Causeway Bay Sports Ground with such grandiose gems as a heated indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool. The very name they suggest for the new facility - Hong Kong Central Park - illustrates the lack of imagination and absence of flair with which they approach the project.
Central Park? Don't they know it is not in Central? If we must rename the area then let us call it something like Deng Xiaoping Park. But Central Park? Never.
I hope it is not too late to stop our eager municipal elders before they romp too far down this track. Pray, let the councillors consider before they start unveiling plans written in granite.
In concept, both ideas are sound and desirable. But before Urbco splashes in feet first, can they please stop, step back and carefully consider the issues. Can they make sure, this time, that what they ask for is what they are going to get, that the stadium and the sporting grounds are cost effective, well-planned and when built, deliver what they are meant to provide? Please.
We can well do without a repetition of the humbling Hong Kong Stadium debacle, which has succeeded in making us look preposterous. Similarly, there's no need for a repeat performance of the Cultural Centre design flaws; how could a windowless building be placed in front of the world's most stunning harbour view? Admittedly, the council was not totally to blame for the stadium. The original concept was for a sporting facility where world class competitions could be held. We got that, no argument. But when something that was ideal for football turned out to be almost totally useless for major pop concerts, everyone seemed surprised.
