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Kai Tak as a world class Water Sport Centre
Call for water quality improvement and water sports facilities
Today (February 28, 2021), District Councilors, Members of the Water Sports Council and Designing Hong Kong urge government to guarantee that the water quality is suitable for water sports, and to reserve land for water sports centres around Kai Tak Channel and Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter.
Kai Tak is the last opportunity for creating a world class water sports centre for Hong Kong, and especially for the benefit of the two million residents of Kowloon.
The intention for Kai Tak Development is to create a “Heritage, Green, Sports and Tourism Hub of Hong Kong.” The first step to establish Kai Tak as a water sports hub, and to make good use of the unique sheltered in-land waters of Kai Tak, is to improve the water quality, and to provide watersports facilities around the shore – similar to the Stanley Main Beach Water Sports Centre.
District Councillors of the three districts of Kowloon (Lai Kwong Wai, Kowloon City; Sham Yu Hin, Wong Tai Sin; Li Wing Shan, Kwun Tong) explained that their councils have passed motions calling on improve the water quality of the Kai Tak Approach Channel and Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter to meet standards suitable for water recreation activities:
“Government is urged to designate the Kai Tak Approach Channel (KTAC) and Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter (KTTS) as a Secondary Contact Recreation Subzone, and to set the Water Quality Objective at (less than) <610 E.coli/ 100ml to enable these waters to be used for water sports and community recreation.”
「敦促政府將啟德明渠進口道和觀塘避風塘，列為次級接觸康樂活動分區，並制定大腸桿菌含量每100毫升全年平均值不超於610個為水質目標，以達到適合進行水上活動的標準。」
Separately, the Members of the Water Sports Council have written to the Environmental Protection Department urging for the inland waters of Kai Tak to be designated as a Secondary Contact Recreation Subzone. Nine water sport organisations co-signed a letter recognising the unique value of the Kai Tak Approach Channel and the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter as a venue for community water sports.
“The sheltered waters of the Kai Tak Approach Channel and Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter are ideal for the safe enjoyment of water sports. Converting the Kai Tak Approach Channel into a water sports centre will benefit especially the millions of residents of Kowloon who now have to travel to Sha Tin, Sai Kung or the southside of Hong Kong Island for water sports. ”
“The availability of water sports in this central harbour location will enhance the living environment of the district and will further boost the reputation of the Kai Tak sports hub provided by the Kai Tak Sports Park,” said Raymond Ma, Chairman of the Water Sports Council.
Water Quality
Foul drainage water flows into the Kai Tak Approach Channel from San Po Kong, Ngau Chi Wan, Kowloon City and other neighbouring areas. Prosecutions for illegal discharge is extremely low. Between 2016 and 2020, there were 7 prosecutions in Kwun Tong District, 3 in Wong Tai Sin, and only 2 prosecutions in Kowloon City District.
The Civil Engineering and Development Office originally planned to open a 600-meter water gap under the runway, through which seawater from Victoria Harbour would help flush the Kai Tak Approach Channel. In 2016 this plan was aborted and replaced with an interception and pumping station scheme. However, only pumps out some of the foul water. “We are worried that this scheme is unable to guarantee safe water quality for sports and recreation throughout the year. We propose to add a pump station and pipe to bring fresh water from the harbour to the approach channel so it can be flushed as needed,” proposes Paul Zimmerman, CEO, Designing Hong Kong.
District Councillors emphasized that the annual average of E. coli must be less than 610 to ensure that water bodies can be safely opened for public enjoyment. Data over the last six years have shown that the standard was only met once in 2018. “We need the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department to agree on designating the inland waters of Kai Tak as a recreational sub-zone under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance. That will be the formal basis for allocating sufficient resources for managing the water quality,” the Kowloon District Councillors explained.
Water Sports Centres
As early as 2006, members of the public proposed creating an international water sports centre at Kai Tak for rowing, canoeing, dragon boating and other water sports. The government has recently granted short-term leases for small temporary facilities. For the sports to thrive, several permanent water sports centres would be required similar to the Stanley Water Sports Centre. Such activity centers would be equipped with showers, toilets, and cafes, and can support the promenade and adjacent parks. They can be designed to cater for families, cyclists, runners, as well as water sports enthusiasts. Besides daily training and recreation, these facilities can support regional or international events and competitions.
Attendance
Dr. Raymond S.W. Ma, Chairman of Hong Kong Water Sports Council, President of Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association
Mr. Michael Tanner, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Water Sports Council
Dr. Johnnie C.K. Chan, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Water Sports Council, Hon Secretary of The Hong Kong Life Saving Society
Mr. Ng Kong Wan, Chairman of Hong Kong, China Rowing Association
Mr. Lai Kwong Wai, Kowloon City District Councillor
Dr. Sham Yu Hin, Wong Tai Sin District Councillor
Ms. Li Wing Shan, Kwun Tong District Councillor
Mr. Paul Zimmerman, CEO of Designing Hong Kong
Ref:
Powerpoint Presentation from Designing Hong Kong:
https://bit.ly/3qXR6Ey
Government’s reply to Kwun Tong DC:
https://bit.ly/37PP5mc
Media Event Photos:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nlabfthxlw69f5p/AAB5eti_QNfwKo_EvnDxZwSMa?dl=0
Press Conference:
https://www.facebook.com/DesigningHongKong/videos/781421546061514/
Water Sports Council's letter to EPD: http://www.designinghongkong.com/v4/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EPD_Designation-of-Kai-Tak-Waters.pdf
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