Old Town Revitalization
Shrines get an upgrade
New plans that recently popped up on the bulletin board near the Tin Hau Temple prompted Explore to investigate what was happening with the SK Old Town Revitalization project.
The Housing Society, which is funding the project, had originally wanted to refurbish the old school on the hill above the Tin Hau Temple and to open a folk museum as part of the overhaul of the oldest part of Sai Kung Town. Following the initial study, it was discovered that the slope stabilization and roof repairs would have cost too much and these ideas were therefore shelved for the time being.
Another part of this project – the renovation of the five shrines – is, however, already underway, and as you can see from one of the plans presented here, they will have a refreshed look soon. The chimney will be rebuilt; new flooring, tiles and stone are to be put in place, and new couplets prepared for the altar section.
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Other parts of the project, including the street paving, signage and lighting, will proceed as soon as the maintenance responsibilities are sorted out. It seems that since these improvements are not of a standard type, there's no precedent for the assignment of maintenance responsibility.
Readers have expressed concern about environmental issues in Old Town, such as ground level sewage breather pipes and grey (dish/bath) water gushing out of pipes into open drains. Explore will discuss these concerns with our District Officer and report in the next issue.