The government Wednesday revealed details of a development plan for the plot in Fai Chi Kei where the former greyhound racetrack and the adjacent government-run Lin Fong Sports Centre are located, according to which the plot will be earmarked for sports, education and community service facilities as well as government office buildings.
The development plan for the plot in Fai Chi Kei where the former greyhound racetrack and the adjacent government-run Lin Fong Sports Centre are located, according to which the plot will be earmarked for sports, education and community service facilities as well as government office buildings.
The development plan also proposes underground facilities for the possible construction of a water storage tank, with the aim of alleviating flooding in the densely populated neighbourhood.
Officials of the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) presented the plan to members of the Urban Planning Council (CPU) during a regular meeting of the government-appointed council.
The meeting, which was open to the media, took place it the Transport Bureau (DSAT) Building, which houses office premises of both bureaux.
The government-appointed council is a consultative body tasked with advising the government on its urban planning policies.
The government told the operator of the former greyhound racetrack – Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome To. Ltd. – in July 2016 to vacate the property in Fai Chi Kei, a public land concession, within two years.
The company´s concession to run greyhound racing expired at midday on July 20.
The company is headed by gaming executive-cum-lawmaker Angela Leong On Kei.
Yat Yuen left 533 greyhounds behind at the racetrack’s kennels when the racetrack in Fai Chi Kei district ceased operations on July 20.
The government was forced to intervene in the matter, taking over the racetrack’s kennels and looking after the greyhounds with the help of local animal lovers.
Late last month, the government approved a request by Yat Yuen for it to be granted an additional 60 days before relocating the greyhounds left behind at the Fai Chi Kei racetrack. The new deadline for Yat Yuen to remove the greyhounds from the kennels is September 29.
The triangle-shaped plot is surrounded byAvenida do Almirante Lacerda, Avenida do General
Castelo Branco, and Avenida do Conselheiro Borja.
In addition to the closed racetrack and its kennels, theplot also houses the public Lin Fong Sports Centre, which consists of an outdoor stadium complete with a football field and a running track as well as a building. The building includes swimming pools and indoor spaces for other sports activities.
After the government told Yat Yuen to vacate the Fai Chi Kei greyhound racetrack two years ago, it pledged that the plot would be used for education, sports and community service facilities after the Canidrome’s demise.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam Chon Weng told lawmakers during a plenary session of the legislature late last year that the Education and Youth AffairsBureau (DSEJ) had proposed to the government’s public works and planning entities – understood to be the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau – that four schools will be built on the area designated for education facilities on the plot, following the closure of the racetrack.
The erstwhile greyhound racetrack and stadium – including the football pitch and running track – is at the centre of the triangle-shape plot. The kennels are located at the corner of Avenida do General Castelo Branco and Avenida do Conselheiro Borja. The indoor sports centre housing the two swimming pools is located at the comer of Avenida do General Castelo Branco and Avenida do Almirante Lacerda.
According to the development plan presented Wednesday, the area designated for sports facilities will be expanded from the existing 20,000 square metres to 26,500 square metres. The existing football field and running track will be kept with improvement work to be carried out on them. In addition, a new sports building will also be built onthe plot.
According to the development plan, an area of 8,000 square metres at the corner of Avenida do General Castelo Branco and Avenida do Conselheiro Borja will be designated for education facilities, basically covering the area where the greyhound kennels are currently located.
According to the plan, an area of 3,900 square metres at the corner of Avenida do General Castelo Branco and Avenida do Almirante Lacerda will be used for community service facilities and government office buildings, basically covering the area where the current indoor sports building is located.
The development plan also proposes the setting-up of at least 400 parking spaces. The whole plot covers about 40,000 square metres.
During the meeting ofthe council, most of the attendees agreed with the proposed development plan for the plot.
No construction schedule for the development plan was announced during the meeting.
