As one of the buildings under batch IV of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (the Revitalisation Scheme), the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre (LHTWC) has been revitalised into the “Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute”. I am pleased to have attended its opening ceremony recently to witness the fruits of the revitalisation of this Grade 2 historic building. This time, I have invited the Commissioner for Heritage, Mr CHANG Chi-ho, Ivanhoe, to share with us the efforts involved in taking forward heritage conservation and their plans for the future. Also, a representative of Sik Sik Yuen, the non-profit-making organisation responsible for implementing the revitalisation project of the LHTWC, will introduce us their revitalisation works.

Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme

Our focus on the policy relating to built heritage conservation in Hong Kong is to strike a balance between respecting private property rights and heritage conservation, and promote heritage education by utilising our monuments.

The Government launched the Revitalisation Scheme in 2008. Through partnering with non-profit-making organisations (NPOs), historic buildings owned by the Government are preserved, revitalised and put into good adaptive re-use. At the same time, the historic buildings are given a new lease of life for the enjoyment of public and appreciation for their heritage value.

Mr Ivanhoe CHANG says that the six batches of Revitalisation Scheme was launched and 22 government-owned historic buildings have been included. With the recent opening of the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute, all three projects under Batch IV of the Revitalisation Scheme, including the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre and The Pokfulam Farm, have commenced operation. Taking into account Luen Wo Market, which will open in the fourth quarter this year, a total of 13 projects will be in operation.

Challenges during restoration

Blending the new with the old is an important objective of revitalisation. However, it is not an easy task to revitalise the historic buildings for modern uses and at the same time preserving their vital heritage value. For example, the revitalised historic buildings have to comply with the prevailing Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance and the requirements for barrier-free access. Since most historic buildings were built before enactment of the ordinances, the revitalisation projects require to carry out large-scale alteration and addition works, making it even more challenging. In view of this, one-stop technical support is offered by the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office (CHO) under the Revitalisation Scheme. CHO will also assist to refer the enquiries of the selected NPOs to appropriate departments and follow up on their cases if necessary.

Assisting in liaison with other government departments

Taking the LHTWC as an example, apart from providing financial support for the revitalisation works, CHO also assisted the selected NPO to liaise with relevant government departments at design stage. In order to comply with the prevailing Fire Services Ordinance, CHO assisted the LHTWC to liaise with the Water Supplies Department to add a street hydrant near LHTWC. Also, CHO liaised with the Fire Services Department to provide suggestions on the design of fire services installations and the supply tank for fire hydrant to the design team for consideration. In the end, the fire services installations are accommodated inside the newly built annex block and the supply tank is built underground in order to minimise the visual impact on the historic building.

Moreover, the LHTWC was not connected to public sewage system in the past. After coordination with the Drainage Services Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the sewage produced by the LHTWC is now diverted to the sewage treatment system of the Kwu Tung Market for treatment.

The Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute

Completed in 1933, the LHTWC was one of the first rural clinics established in the New Territories by the Government. It was constructed with donations from Sir Robert Ho Tung and named after his first wife MAK Sau-ying. In December 2009, the building was accorded Grade 2 status by the Antiquities Advisory Board. In June 2015, Sik Sik Yuen was selected to revitalise the LHTWC into the LHTWC Eco-Learn Institute.

The Abbot of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, Dr LEE Yiu-fai (Yee Kok), says that the LHTWC is located in Kwu Tung near Long Valley with abundant greenery and rich biodiversity. After revitalisation, the LHTWC Eco-Learn Institute has preserved the original fruit trees. Its features include an eco-pond, a Chinese medical herb garden and an organic farm for the public to conduct ecological field trips and activities like bird-watching, ecology photography, butterfly surveys, so as to promote nature conservation and sustainable development.

The Eco-Learn Institute was officially opened last month. For enquiries and to make bookings for guided tours, please send an email to info@ladyhotungecolearn.hk or call 6995 9873 to get in touch with Sik Sik Yuen.

Thanks to the support of various parties over the years, historic buildings in Hong Kong can be conserved and revitalised. I hope more enthusiastic NPOs will join us to bring more quality revitalisation projects to the public. To further enhance the Revitalisation Scheme, we target to streamline application processes and provide even better support to the selected NPOs. The Government is now conducting a comprehensive review of the Revitalisation Scheme and will consult the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation. We aim to implement the enhancement measures within this year.