Hong Kong urged to rethink private club land premiums
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong is being urged to reassess the premium arrangements for private recreation leases as almost all of the 27 affected sites come up for renewal next year. The argument revisits a long-running dispute over whether private clubs should continue to enjoy nominal land premiums when access remains limited to a relatively small membership base
Key Points
- Private recreation leases in Hong Kong have long been controversial because they grant land to private clubs at a nominal premium for the exclusive enjoyment of a small number of members
- The issue has become more pressing because 27 sites are involved and almost all of their leases are due for renewal next year
- In 2018, the government reviewed its policy on clubs holding private recreation leases, and public consultation found general support for retaining the clubs
- Supporters cited contributions including sports development, promotion, ethnic harmony, attracting foreign talent and encouraging economic development during that consultation
- The reform path adopted required wider public access, including allocating at least 30 per cent of sports facility capacity to eligible outside bodies such as schools
Why It Matters
The coming lease renewals could force a fresh test of whether public-access requirements are enough to justify continued preferential land terms for private clubs. For Hong Kong, the decision affects both land-use fairness and the future role of long-established clubs in the city’s sports system