Relief for Hong Kong track and field community as Wan Chai Sports Ground saved the chop – for now

Hong Kong’s track and field community on Wednesday welcomed the government’s decision to put the Wan Chai Sports Ground redevelopment plan on hold, although the future of the city facility remains unclear.

In her first policy address, chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the government had decided, for the time being, it would not touch the Wan Chai Sports Ground as intended under the Leung Chun-ying administration.

Instead, it would demolish and redevelop the three government buildings next to the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai North into a new wing that can be connected to and integrated with the existing centre.

Simon Yeung Sai-mo, senior vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association, said the new development was positive.

“There has been a lack of track and field training facilities for many years and we were surprised when the previous government made such a decision by closing the venue for commercial use,” he said.

“The new government at least is willing to listen to the stakeholders – it was not only us but also the community who was against the original plan.