Govt Plans To Make Private Clubs Cough Up Land Fee

More than two dozen private sports clubs that occupy government land may have to cough up millions of dollars in fees every time they renew their leases, if a government proposal goes through.

If the clubs were unable to pay that money, they could opt to change their status, becoming semi-public facilities by further opening up their membership to the public and reducing membership fees.

The plan was revealed on Tuesday as the Home Affairs Bureau launched a six-month public consultation exercise on the government's policy on private recreational leases. The plan could take effect from 2026 if it is approved.

There are 66 sites under private recreational leases in Hong Kong. Of these, 39 have been granted to non-profit making organisations, such as social and welfare groups, and national sports associations.

The bureau has proposed granting these organisations special-purpose leases, taking into account their social missions, and their wide, relatively open and cheap memberships.

The rest of these private sports clubs – which are currently charged little or no premium – would instead be charged one-third of the full market value when they renew their leases every 15 years.

The Lands Department says this could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars for large sites over 100 hectares in the New Territories.

The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Betty Fung, said they are giving clubs time to plan and arrange for the proposed change, and it wouldn't come into effect until 2026.

She said they would also be required to further open up to outside sports groups, and provide 240 hours a month in training programmes that are open to members of the public.

Under the current policy, clubs can apply to the government for a land grant to develop sports and recreational facilities for no, or a nominal, premium. There have been calls for private recreational lease sites to be better utilised, given the city's housing shortage.

Many activists have called for the Fanling golf course to be earmarked for housing development, and the government's land supply task force has also discussed the idea of a partial development there.

But Home Affairs Secretary Lau Kong-wah said they have no intention of phasing out private sports clubs and hope to preserve them – so they can continue to promote and support the development of sports in Hong Kong.

The public consultation will end on September 19.

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