Opened in 1968, the Yuen Long Stadium, which has a history of more than half a century, announced the reconstruction plan as early as 2013, but the following has not been seen. The relevant project cost and timetable have finally been revealed recently.
The Home Affairs Bureau intends to apply to the Finance Committee for an allocation of more than $1.5 billion, including the replacement of an 11-a-side natural grass football field that meets international standards, and standard eight-lane track and track and field facilities that meet the requirements of the World Athletics Federation. The current nearly 5,000 has grown to 6,000.
The Home Affairs Bureau pointed out that after the reconstruction of Yuen Long Stadium, it can be upgraded to meet the venue standards of the Asian Football Association and become the third dedicated venue in Hong Kong to host international football matches after the Hong Kong Stadium and Mong Kok Stadium. For large-scale regional track and field events, the project is expected to be completed within four years after the grant application is approved.
The Home Affairs Bureau submitted a document to the Legislative Council, explaining the proposed plan for the reconstruction of Yuen Long Stadium. The track and field facilities meet the standards and regulations of the World Association of Athletics.
The new venue has 6,000 seats to meet the venue requirements of the Asian Football Association to host the AFC Champions League
The project also includes the replacement of the east and west grandstands and ancillary facilities with fixed tops, which will have about 6,000 seats, and provide ancillary facilities that meet the requirements of the Asian Football Association stadium regulations and the standards for hosting the AFC Champions Cup and the AFC Cup, including multi-purpose facilities. Conference room, media center, media work area, press conference room, commentator room, TV broadcast room, emergency room and drug testing room.
The redevelopment plan of Yuen Long Stadium will also involve reprovisioning works such as toilets, changing rooms, control rooms, offices, parking spaces and loading and unloading areas.
The number of public parking spaces will be increased to 104, including four parking spaces for coaches, seven parking spaces for light goods vehicles, 78 parking spaces for private cars and 15 parking spaces for motorcycles. The area between Yuen Long Stadium and Yuen Long Swimming Pool will also be beautified. public access.
The authorities plan to relocate the Yuen Long Stadium, which will include an 11-a-side natural grass football pitch that meets the standards of international football matches.
(Legislative Council document)
The current stadium infrastructure is over 50 years old
According to the Home Affairs Bureau, Yuen Long Stadium is not only the main sports facility in the New Territories West, but also one of the venues for hosting the Hong Kong Premier League. , attracting the support of many residents of the district.
At present, Yuen Long Stadium has been in use for more than 50 years. The stands and ancillary facilities are far below the current standards for hosting high-level sports events. In recent years, Hong Kong football has continued to develop, and local clubs have competed in Asian Football Association competitions one after another.
To host AFC-approved competitions, the stadium must meet the venue standards for hosting the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup.
The bureau continued that at present, only the Hong Kong Stadium and Mong Kok Stadium in Hong Kong meet the venue standards of the Asian Football Association. With the opening of the Tuen Ma Line, the traffic connection between the Yuen Long Stadium and the urban area is more convenient. It is believed that after the reconstruction of the Yuen Long Stadium, there will be It is a suitable venue for hosting international competitions recognized by the Asian Football Association.
Yuen Long Stadium hosts Hong Kong Super League matches from time to time, and the Yuen Long District Football Team also uses Yuen Long Stadium as its home ground.
(File photo/Photo by Yuan Zhihao)
The authorities pointed out that after the reconstruction of Yuen Long Stadium, it can be upgraded to the standard of the Asian Football Association, becoming the third dedicated venue in Hong Kong that can host international football matches after the Hong Kong Stadium and Mong Kok Stadium. Athletics events.
(Legislative Council document)
Redevelopment target to be completed within four years
The Home Affairs Bureau continued that Yuen Long Stadium is also the main venue for schools in the Western New Territories to hold land games.
After the reconstruction, it can hold large-scale events throughout Hong Kong and even regional, and it can be open to the public for jogging, track and field training and other sports at ordinary times.
The administration has estimated the cost of the project at about $1.527 billion and will start the project after the Finance Committee approves the funding. The target is to be completed in about four years.
The bureau stated that it has consulted the District Facilities Management Committee under the Yuen Long District Council and has received general support.
The Administration plans to apply to the Finance Committee for funding after consultation with the Works Subcommittee.
The half-century Yuen Long Stadium redevelopment project is expected to be completed by 2025. The number of seats will increase to 6,000. The number of seats in the stadium reconstruction has not yet been finalized. The full Hong Kong Stadium was rebuilt and transformed into a public stadium. The 40,000 seats were reduced to 9,000. The Hong Kong Super League is open to the outside world.
