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Hong Kong does not need a new sports stadium in Kai Tak, build public housing there instead
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I find Tim Noonan’s column very interesting and, frankly, the whole idea of building a big new stadium in Hong Kong is totally preposterous (“Hong Kong will build the world’s most expensive [Sevens] stadium. Can it please look like this”, April 6).
The government is considering closing sports clubs in search of land to build public housing and here they are going forward with building a HK$32 billion sports park, including a new stadium. For what?
Noonan certainly makes some valid comments about the food and beverage issues at the current government stadium – this is not the government, this is largely the Rugby Union selling the beer rights for a big sum of money. Also, I totally agree that the food is impossibly expensive and totally unfit for human consumption.
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But let’s go back to the issue at hand: why do we need a new stadium? The current stadium operates at full capacity only three days a year.
Moreover, this year the Sevens appeared to be under-attended – not full, with touts having trouble reselling tickets. So in 2018, there will not be a single day of full utilisation.
Hong Kong Stadium is Sevens’ true home
If one really wants more seats, take out the south stand and rebuild it into two levels, this will add seats. On the north stand, take out the poorly designed restaurant and add more seats.
Kai Tak stadium will be a white elephant. Look at every big Olympic stadium
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