Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening: Hong Kong's New Era of Sports and Entertainment Begins!

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony today (March 1):

(Cantonese)

各位嘉賓、各位朋友、各位市民：

今日，我和大家一樣，懷着興奮和期待的心情，一同見證啟德體育園這個世界級香港新地標的開幕典禮。

一百年前，香港在啟德首次成功試飛雙翼機，之後誕生了啟德機場。今日，香港在啟德締造了啟德體育園。由啟航天際到締造全新體育、文化、藝術世界舞台，香港又一次衝上雲霄，再創高峰。

啟德體育園佔地28公頃，是香港歷來最大型的體育園區，即將迎來來自本地、內地、國際的體育、音樂、文化等頂尖盛事，為香港的「盛匯超級三月」Hong Kong Super March揭開序幕。

這裏是香港規模最大最頂尖的場地，有最大型的開合形天幕、靈活轉換的草坪系統，加上其他先進設計，在不同天氣情況都可舉辦不同的大型活動。

我相信從今日開始，海內外的巨星，都會以在啟德主場館演出為成功的代表，因為在這裏會有最熱情和最國際化的「粉絲」，歡呼和喝采的聲音不只會來自香港，更會來自內地和世界各地！

我感謝所有參與啟德體育園籌劃、興建和營運的人員，參與啟園測試及演練的人員、組織和政府團隊。我更多謝廣大市民的支持，多謝你們！

我現在用普通話歡迎內地同胞和海外說普通話的朋友。

(Putonghua)

各位朋友：

今天開幕的啟德體育園，是香港歷來規模最大、設備最先進的文化體育園區，我們身處的主場館提供50 000個座位，設有全香港最大型的開合形天幕、靈活轉換的草坪系統和其他先進設計，將為演藝體育界提供新的世界標準，以香港前所未有的最大規模、最佳設備，為表演者提供殿堂級的無限展演可能、為參賽者提供世界級競賽設施、為觀眾提供無與倫比的一流體驗。

從「斯諾克」桌球、七人制橄欖球和足球等國際體育競賽，到海內外享負盛名的樂隊和巨星的演唱會，各項盛事，會浪接浪的落戶啟德，許多項目，門票在很短時期內已經售罄。

今年底，由粵港澳三地聯合承辦的「第十五屆全國運動會」多個項目，更將在啟德體育園隆重舉行。

這裏曾經是香港啟德機場的所在地，從鬧市中的機場到世界級體育園，這裏是香港變遷與發展的生動縮影，體現香港「敢為天下先」的精神，在有限空間中創造無限天地。

我歡迎內地和全球朋友，親臨這個全新文體新殿堂，「打卡」體驗，感受這個圓夢舞台的非凡魅力。啟德體育園，歡迎你！香港，歡迎你！

我現在用英語歡迎說英語的朋友。

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is a grand occasion, the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park – the largest sports, entertainment and mega event complex in Hong Kong’s history, spanning over 28 hectares.

Formerly our Kai Tak Airport, this extensive piece of land opened Hong Kong to the world.

And now, Kai Tak Sports Park takes on an even more promising role. Today, we are witnesses to a state-of-the-art new stage for Hong Kong. And like this very Stadium’s retractable roof, the sky is the limit.

From snooker, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens to football, the upcoming sports events are sure to delight all, on and off the pitch. And you can count on scores of concerts by top singers and bands from home and abroad, here to raise the roof of Kai Tak Stadium.

The magnificent, multi-purpose Kai Tak Sports Park is a grand stage offering the most enjoyable experience for sports and recreation, entertainment and a whole lot more. Our new home ground will raise every game, on every match!

Kai Tak Sports Park is made for you – Hong Kong and the world. Enjoy it all!

(Cantonese)

各位，啟德體育園將香港的國際大都會魅力，推上顛峰。我們熱烈歡迎市民和旅客親臨啟德體育園，感受世界一流的精彩體驗！多謝大家！

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Buildings Department reminds industry to comply with new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets

The Buildings Department (BD) today (January 28) held a seminar to remind the industry to comply with the requirements of the new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets, as well as the fire safety measures that must be followed during building repair works. The BD will continue to inspect buildings undergoing major repairs, demand immediate rectification of non-compliance and pursue punitive action accordingly.

Following the promulgation of Practice Note for Registered Contractors 85 (PNRC 85) in December last year, which stipulates the new sampling testing mechanism for scaffold nets on external walls, the BD has been gradually receiving test reports and notifications of completion of scaffolding from registered contractors (including but not limited to registered contractors who procured scaffold nets through the Construction Industry Council's collective bulk procurement). To help the industry further enhance its understanding of, and compliance with, the new mechanism, the BD held a seminar this afternoon at CIC-Zero Carbon Park in Kowloon Bay.

A spokesman for the BD said, "About 650 contractors and subcontractors of the scaffolding industry participate in the seminar in person and online. The BD takes this opportunity to brief the industry again about the new arrangements detailed in PNRC 85 and reminds the industry to strictly adhere to the testing and installation requirements set out therein. These include taking samples of scaffold nets and obtaining test reports meeting the recognised fire retardant performance standards prior to the installation of scaffold nets for carrying out of relevant works on existing buildings."

The BD reiterated that it will vigilantly enforce the mechanism and has already launched inspections and site audits. If contractors have installed the scaffold nets without complying with the testing requirements set out in PNRC 85, or if the test results of on-site samples collected by the BD fail to meet the recognised fire retardant performance standards, the BD will order immediate cessation of works and removal of non-compliant scaffold nets under the Buildings Ordinance (BO). Reinstallation of the scaffold nets will only be permitted when test reports meeting the recognised fire retardant performance standards in accordance with PNRC 85 have been obtained. Moreover, the BD will follow up on non-compliance cases seriously, including taking appropriate punitive action.

During the seminar, the BD also reminded the industry that when carrying out building repair works, it is essential to observe and comply with the fire safety measures required by the BD and other relevant departments, such as the Fire Services Department and the Labour Department. These include maintaining fire barriers in good condition, storing combustible materials properly to avoid accumulation, and ensuring that combustible materials (such as foam boards) are not installed on external walls or windows, as these may lead to the spread of fire. Alternative measures for ensuring adequate standard of fire safety should be provided if any means of escape or fire barriers (including fire doors or fixed lights on escape staircases and protected lobbies) have to be temporarily removed/blocked.

"To ensure that construction methods do not pose fire safety risks to residents or the public, the BD has launched a special inspection operation of buildings undergoing major repairs since late last year. The inspections focus on whether fire barriers (including fire doors and fixed lights) have been removed; and whether combustible materials (such as foam boards) have been used to cover windows. As at yesterday (January 27), the BD had inspected 322 buildings and found that 13 of them had failed to comply with the relevant fire safety measures. The BD had informed the relevant registered building professionals and contractors on the spot and issued them with warning letters requiring rectification in seven days. Among them, two cases had failed to make rectification by the deadline, and two cease works orders had been issued. Depending on the situation, the BD may also consider instigating prosecution and/or disciplinary action under the BO, or referring the cases to the relevant law enforcement department for appropriate action," the spokesman continued.

Buildings Department reminds industry to comply with new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Buildings Department reminds industry to comply with new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases