The government yesterday 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 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 at 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 Co. 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 by Avenida do Almirante Lacerda, Avenida do General Castelo Branco, and Avenida do Conselheiro Borja. In addition to the closed racetrack and its kennels, the plot 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.
This photo released on the website of the Urban Planning Council (CPU) yesterday shows the government’s development plan – in the Chinese language version – for the plot where the former greyhound racetrack and the adjacent public Lin Fong Sports Centre are located. The centre’s purple area will be designated for sports facilities, while the green area will be used for education facilities. The pink area at the bottom of the photo has been earmarked for community service facilities and government office buildings.
This photo taken from an undated video clip released by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) in June shows the football field and running track, as well as the then still functioning greyhound racetrack (surrounding the red running track) in Fai Chi Kei.
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