South China AA Stadium

South China AA Stadium (Chinese: 南華會足球場), also known as Caroline Hill stadium (Chinese: 加山), is a multi-use stadium in Hong Kong. It is currently used mostly for sports and is owned by South China Athletic Association (SCAA). Originally designed for football matches and to accommodate 12,000 spectators when it was opened in 1953.[1]

South China AA Stadium
Caroline Hill (加山)
The Sports Complex (the tall white building) and the Stadium in 2012. Behind the stand (left of the photo) were the Bowling Centre and the Sports Centre. The U-shape area on the front and the construction site on the right of the photo, were the former locations of the stands. Driving range was on the far side of the photo
South China AA Stadium
Location of the stadium in Hong Kong Island and in Hong Kong
South China AA Stadium
South China AA Stadium (Hong Kong)
Address88 Caroline Hill Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Coordinates22°16′32″N 114°11′15″E
OwnerSouth China Athletic Association
OperatorSouth China Athletic Association
Construction
Broke groundc. 1927[1]
the 1950s (second generation)
2012 (third generation)
Built1934
1953 (second generation)
Demolishedthe 1950s (first generation)
the 1980s to 2010s (second generation)
Tenants
South China Athletic Association

History

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

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] In 1966, a bowling centre was built around the stadium, which was followed by a sports centre (the Low Block) in 1976.[1]

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]

Location

The stadium is located on 88 Caroline Hill Road. According to the club, it is located in the Causeway Bay area,[10] however, in government's urban planning zones, it is part of Wong Nai Chung Outline Zoning Plan.[11] 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. "History". Hong Kong: South China Athletic Association. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  2. 歷史 [History] (in Chinese). 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. 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. 20 March 1991. p. 8.
  5. 南華會申請建酒店. Apple Daily (in Chinese). 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: 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: 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. "Address: Hong Kong Club House". Hong Kong: South China AA. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  11. "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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