District council rejects government plan to redevelop Hong Kong Stadium as municipal sports ground
- Wan Chai district councillors criticised officials for failing to give more details of the plan and requested they address concerns and return for consultation
- Government intends to reduce stadium’s capacity by more than three-quarters and using it for community and school events
A Hong Kong district council refused to give its backing to a government plan to redevelop the city’s biggest stadium, after a two-hour discussion on Tuesday.
Some members at the Wan Chai District Council meeting criticised officials for failing to present more details of the plan and said it would be “irresponsible” for them to rubber-stamp the project, which is still in the conceptual planning stage.
Others remained unconvinced, despite repeated assurances by officials, that the plan to redevelop the Hong Kong Stadium would not lead to the demolition of the Wan Chai sports ground.
The government proposes to convert Hong Kong Stadium – capacity 40,000 – into an 8,000 to 9,000-seater public sports ground for community and school events.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said the stadium at the future Kai Tak Sports Park could largely fulfil the same function as the existing stadium.
The department suggested rebuilding the stadium as a facility with a spectator stand comprising about 8,000 to 9,000 seats, with other facilities such as multi-purpose conference rooms, a media centre, and a car park.