Jockey Club SCENES Building opens at Tai Tam Scout Centre to promote sustainability and advance environmental education

The Jockey Club SCENES Building was officially opened today (28 June). The building, alongside the newly built Lo Koon Wing Building and refurbished Bradbury Building, is part of the enhancement works at Tai Tam Scout Centre campsite to support The Scout Association of Hong Kong’s nature and environmental programmes. The project is funded by a donation of nearly HK$100 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building at the Tai Tam Scout Centre.

The new building incorporates green elements such as solar panels, and adopts low-carbon, sustainable architectural design principles, including nature-responsive features that optimise natural daylight, energy efficiency, and thermal comfort. The project has also achieved a provisional BEAM Plus Gold rating, showcasing sustainable building principles in practice. As the third Scout Centre of Excellence for Nature, Environment and Sustainability (SCENES) in Asia and the first of its kind in Hong Kong, the Tai Tam Scout Centre will benefit from the facilities upgrade. The improvements enhance the campsite’s sustainability and help it leverage Hong Kong's unique role as a regional hub for environmental education to nurture environmental stewardship while empowering young people to become responsible future leaders. The centre is expected to welcome more school groups, NGOs and youth organisations, with capacity to serve up to 60,000 visitors annually.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building at the Tai Tam Scout Centre.

Officiating at the opening ceremony were Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government; Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Dr Wilson Lai, Chief Commissioner of Scout Association of Hong Kong; David Yip, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Scout Association of Hong Kong and other guests.

Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said this project demonstrates the long-standing partnership between the Club and The Scout Association of Hong Kong. Over the years, the Club has actively supported social welfare organisations in reducing carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity, and strengthening community resilience to climate change through multi-sector collaboration and innovative thinking. This project reflects the Club’s commitment to promoting sustainability as one of its key impact programmes.

Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building, redeveloped from a former administration office, addresses the limitations of ageing facilities while enhancing the capacity and functionality of the Tai Tam Scout Centre. The sustainability features will also help reduce the campsite’s impact on the environment, while strengthening its ability to meet the international standards of SCENES, accredited by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM).

The Trust’s donation also supports new or upgraded facilities at the Lo Koon Wing Building and the Bradbury Building. These include multi-purpose learning spaces, lecture rooms, workshops, laboratories, eco-friendly accommodation and barrier-free access, creating a more inclusive and enriched learning environment. Beyond serving local communities, the enhancements also foster knowledge exchange and collaboration with parties outside Hong Kong.

Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th right); Dr Wilson Lai, Chief Commissioner of Scout Association of Hong Kong (3rd left); and David Yip, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Scout Association of Hong Kong (3rd right) and other guests officiate at the opening ceremony of the Jockey Club SCENES Building.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club SCENES Building, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Guests at the Jockey Club SCENES Building.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (31 May) marked the successful conclusion of its “May · We Care” staff volunteer initiative. Throughout the month, members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team (CARE Team) took part in over 80 volunteer activities, contributing more than 4,700 service hours in support of the community. The initiative reflects the Club’s long-standing commitment to giving back to society through meaningful action, making May a month of collective impact.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (middle) and volunteers guide participating families in creating soft pastel artworks.

Comprising full-time, part-time and retired Club employees, the CARE Team organised “May · We Care” for the second consecutive year, encouraging staff participation in a wide range of volunteer activities. Club management, together with over 1,300 CARE Team members, participated in various voluntary services, supporting causes spanning sports, children and youth, animal welfare, underprivileged groups, elderly care, and environmental protection.

Club Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam (back in the red shirt) joins volunteers to guide kindergarten children in transforming second-hand toys into creative toy artworks, extending the lifespan of discarded toys and encouraging sustainability.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said, “As a Club, we are committed to creating positive impact and working for the betterment of society. Now in its second year, with more volunteers taking part, ‘May · We Care’ underscores our dedication to the community and demonstrates how deeply our people are engaged in serving it. This initiative is a powerful reflection of the genuine care of those who work at - or have retired from - the Club. Volunteering truly is the heart and soul of what we do, it connects our team directly to the community and reminds us why the Club is so special – bringing to life our ‘One Club, One Vision, One Team’ spirit.”

Club Executive Director, Membership and Customer Excellence, Terecina Kwong (2nd right), joins colleagues in baking horse-shaped cookies with persons with intellectual disabilities and people undergoing rehabilitation, promoting social inclusion.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges joined 16 volunteers in leading underprivileged families on a docent tour of Tai Kwun, introducing the 180-year history of the heritage site, the Club’s contribution to its conservation and revitalisation, as well as its ongoing funding of operations – making Tai Kwun one of Hong Kong’s most popular cultural landmarks for both locals and tourists. The volunteers also served as workshop facilitators, guiding participants through a soft pastel art session to create their own unique “Ponies on Parade” artworks.

Over 100 volunteers visit elderly residents in Tuen Mun, Tai Po and the North District, delivering nutritious food and care.

Through “May · We Care”, the CARE Team successfully recruited more than 100 new members, bringing total membership to over 2,300. The team continues to broaden its impact by integrating members’ skills into volunteer service through innovative initiatives such as the “CARE Band”, “Cantonese Opera Team”, “CARE Painters”, “Balloon Twisting Team”,  “Hair Cutting Team” and “CAREthelets”. Together, these efforts help foster a more caring and inclusive community.

Volunteers support dog adoption days across districts, including at the pet-friendly HKJC Lohas Park Off-Course Betting Branch, helping homeless dogs find new families.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (5th right back row) and volunteers lead participating families on a docent-led tour of Tai Kwun, introducing its history and heritage features.