South China AA Stadium

South China Stadium
Caroline Hill Stadium (加山場)
The Sports Complex (the tall white building) and the Stadium in 2023. The complex atop the stand contains a tennis court, a beach volleyball court and a 60 metre jogging track. In the centre are the tee boxes from the driving range.
South China Stadium is located in Hong Kong Island
South China Stadium
South China Stadium
Location of the stadium in Hong Kong Island and in Hong Kong
South China Stadium is located in Hong Kong
South China Stadium
South China Stadium
South China Stadium (Hong Kong)
Address88 Caroline Hill Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Coordinates22°16′32″N 114°11′15″E / 22.275644°N 114.187539°E / 22.275644; 114.187539
OwnerSouth China Athletic Association
OperatorSouth China Athletic Association
Capacity1,000
Field size100 x 68 metres (109 x 74 yards)
SurfaceArtificial turf
Construction
Broke groundc. 1927[1]
the 1950s (second generation)
2012 (third generation)
Built1934
Renovated1953, 2012–2021
Demolishedthe 1950s (first generation)
the 1980s to 2012 (second generation)
Tenants
South China Athletic Association

The South China AA-Jockey Club Stadium (Chinese: 南華會賽馬會運動場), also known as the Caroline Hill Stadium (Chinese: 加山場), is a multi-use stadium in Hong Kong. It is currently owned by the South China Athletic Association.

The stadium was originally designed to accommodate up to 12,000 spectators when it was opened in 1953.[1][non-primary source needed]

History

South China Athletic Association (SCAA), under the chairman Lee Hysan,[2][non-primary source needed] acquired the Crown land land lease of the present site in Caroline Hill in 1927.[1][non-primary source needed] A clubhouse and spectator stands were built in 1934.[1][non-primary source needed]

During the World War II, the facilities were occupied by the Japanese force. In 1946, South China AA resumed the control of the facilities in the Caroline Hill as well as in King's Park.[1] New four-sized stands were built in 1953.[1][non-primary source needed] In 1966, a bowling centre was built around the stadium, which was followed by a sports centre (the Low Block) in 1976.[1][non-primary source needed]

Re-developments

From the 1980s to circa 2012, three of the four stands of the stadium were demolished for re-development. One side of the stand was re-developed into the Sports Complex (the High Block) and a golf driving range, which the superstructure was completed in 1987.[3] The football pitch also served as the greens.

In 1991, a re-development plan of the stadium was announced. The proposed new complex had three stands and a dormitory for footballers,[4] all but one of the stands were demolished afterwards. The land use of dormitory was approved by the regulator in 1998.[5]

In 2005, the club attempted to build a hotel on the former site of a stand.[5][6] However, the application of the change of land use, was rejected by the Town Planning Board.[7][8]

On 25 October 2012, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust announced that the SCAA's facilities: the football pitch, the remaining football stand and the driving range, would undergo a major redevelopment with funding of HK$126 million from the trust. New or improved facilities will include a third-generation artificial turf pitch with a covered spectator stand.[9]

The stadium was officially re-opened after a nine year renovation on 26 November 2021. The total cost of the project was $370 million, with $170 million coming from the Jockey Club and the other $200 million coming from South China.[10]

Location

The stadium is located on 88 Caroline Hill Road. According to the club, it is located in the Causeway Bay area,[11] however, in government's urban planning zones, it is part of Wong Nai Chung Outline Zoning Plan.[12] The stadium is very near to the Hong Kong Stadium.

Behind the last remaining stand of the stadium, were the Bowling Centre and the Sports Centre of the club.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "History". Hong Kong: South China Athletic Association. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  2. ^ 歷史 [History] (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong: South China Athletic Association. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  3. ^ 南華會體育中心平頂. Wah Kiu Yat Po (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong. 4 April 1987. p. 12.
  4. ^ 南華體育會運動設施　將分期進行維修改建　保齡球場館所有球道重新裝修　足球場設三面看台另興建宿舍. Ta Kung Pao (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong. 20 March 1991. p. 8.
  5. ^ a b 南華會申請建酒店. Apple Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong: Next Digital. 5 November 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  6. ^ 三財團斟南華會酒店 冀併毗鄰政府地發展　銅鑼灣地爭崩頭. The Sun (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong: Oriental Press Group. 13 March 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  7. ^ 南華會申建酒店觸礁. Apple Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong: Next Digital. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  8. ^ "Minutes of 324th Meeting of the Metro Planning Committee" (PDF). Hong Kong: Town Planning Board. 7 April 2006. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Club supports major renovation of South China Athletic Association" (Press release). Hong Kong Jockey Club. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  10. ^ Mak, King Zhi. "南華會運動場重建近9年終揭幕 設有蓋沙排場仿真草球場". Sportsroad. Retrieved 26 November 2021. (in Chinese)
  11. ^ "Address: Hong Kong Club House". Hong Kong: South China AA. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Draft Wong Nai Chung Outline Zoning Plan approved" (Press release). Chief Executive of Hong Kong; Executive Council of Hong Kong. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
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