The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (September 12) visited Sha Tin District to understand the preservation of history of the old Ma On Shan mine and the new community facility in the district.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Sha Tin), Miss Amy Chan, Mr Cheung visited the ELCHK Grace Youth Camp in Ma On Shan managed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong (ELCHK) to learn how the ELCHK has showcased the history of the Ma On Shan mining village through revitalisation of the buildings within the Camp.
The site was originally a church structure within the old Ma On Shan mine village where the ELCHK provided relief and community care services to miners and their relatives in the 1950s and ‘60s. After the mine was shut down, the church and adjacent buildings were turned into the existing camp site. In 2016, the compound was classified as a Grade 3 historic building by the Antiquities Advisory Board.
Mr Cheung expressed his appreciation to the ELCHK for its relentless efforts in preserving the unique history of the iron mine in Ma On Shan.
He stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to promoting heritage conservation and injecting new life into historic buildings through revitalisation work in order to allow the public to visit and appreciate old buildings with heritage value.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Sha Tin District Council (STDC), Mr Ho Hau-cheung, and Miss Chan, he then inspected the Tai Wai futsal pitch scheduled for use soon. The pitch, which is located on a deck constructed above the Tai Wai Nullah, and formed part of the Signature Project Scheme in Sha Tin is the first purpose-built pitch with a size in compliance with the latest standard of the Federation Internationale de Football Association for futsal matches in the district. The pitch is equipped with demountable spectator stands with ramps and stairs on both sides for multi-purpose use and barrier-free access.
Mr Cheung said that this pitch with a modern design would offer a multi-purpose public space to the district residents and strengthen the inclusiveness of the community.
Mr Cheung then met STDC members and listened carefully to their views on various development issues and matters of concern to the community.
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