Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre : Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute

• Selected applicant: Sik Sik Yuen (Co-operating organisation: The IMC of Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre)
• Capital cost: About HK$34.8 million (as at Dec 2013 price level)
• Government subsidy required for operation of social enterprise: About HK$3.66 million

General Project Description

• To convert the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre into a unique local ecology discovery centre ;
• To develop a series of Bioblitz training programmes and enhance the public awareness of the importance of ecology conservation and the concept of sustainable development.

Historical Significance

In order to bring out the historical significance of the building and to reflect Sir Robert Ho Tung family‘s influence and contribution in the Kwu Tung community, the project will :

• Set up a “Time Gallery” to display the history of the Welfare Centre and the contribution of Sir Robert Ho Tung family;
• Display the stories, photos of the local residents who had previously used the services provided by the Welfare Centre and the revitalisation process of the building in the exhibition hall;
• Set up an “Agriculture Microcosm Area” to grow crops which had previously been grown in the former Tung Ying Hok Po so as to memorise Lady Ho Tung’s support in horticulture development in the New Territories.

Technical Aspects

Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute complies with conservation guidelines by:

• Complying with modern day requirements;
• Retaining the existing external façade and architectural features of the building to create an open view ;
• Demolishing the existing refuse collection chamber, toilets and pavilion near the entrance;
• Constructing a new annex block for toilets and pump room where the existing pavilion located to comply with the sanitary fitment and drainage provisions under the School License requirement; and
• Assessing the conditions of all the existing trees within site boundary and preserve all of them as practical as possible.

Social Benefits

The project will bring benefits to the society by:

• Providing a series of education programmes and activities with the theme “Rural Bioblitz Experience”. This will raise public awareness of ecology conservation and accumulate their knowledge and experience in ecology;
• Offering a wide variety of ecology related activities such as bird watching, ecological photography, butterfly census, etc. to promote the importance of ecological conservation; and
• Organising farmers’ market on holidays to sell products of local farmers. This can help to boost the local economy and create local job opportunities.

Selected Organisation

Sik Sik Yuen is a non-profit-making organisation which was founded in 1921. It provides a wide range of services including education, social, medical and volunteer services in Hong Kong. It operates 16 education institutes including secondary, primary schools and kindergartens with over 8,000 students and 800 staff.

Way Forward

• The selected organisation has to:
  • complete the detailed project design;
  • complete the required administrative procedures;
  • seek planning permission (where applicable) from the Town Planning Board on the intended usage;
  • seek formal funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council;
  • carry out the renovation work (anticipated renovation period: around 18 months);
  • apply for licences (where applicable) for intended operations; and
  • sign with the Government agreements on operations of the social enterprise and preservation of the historic building.
• Anticipated Breakeven Time: Year 3