The Government is inviting private investors to submit expressions of interest for the first two projects under the Government's Private Sector Finance scheme.

The developments are an ice sports centre in Tseung Kwan O and a leisure and cultural centre in Kwun Tong.

Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho said the pilot projects would harness private sector resources, allow more efficient use of Government resources and speed up the delivery of facilities for public use.

Ready for redevelopment: The Private Sector Finance scheme plots in Tseung Kwan O and Kwun Tong.

He said the move was in line with the "big market, small government" principal mentioned by the Chief Executive in his Policy Address.

The Tseung Kwan O project, located on a six-hectare plot, will include an ice-skating rink with spectator stands, suitable for international competitions. There will also be an ancillary rink of a similar size, a town garden and other complementary facilities.

The other project will be on a 2.2-hectare plot at the junction of Tsui Ping Road and Lei Yue Mun Road. It will accommodate a tenpin bowling centre with at least 40 lanes and seating, a swimming pool complex replacing the existing Kwun Tong Swimming Pool, and a civic centre.

"Private Sector Involvement will also mean greater flexibility in the development and management of leisure and cultural facilities," Dr Ho said.

Developers welcome to propose other amenities

In return for financing, designing, building and managing the core leisure and cultural facilities, private developers are welcome to propose commercial facilities like shopping malls, cinemas and serviced apartments, permissible under the Town Planning Board Guidelines for Government, Institution or Community Zones, Dr Ho said.

The income from the commercial facilities could be used to subsidise the cost of building and operating the core facilities.

Details of the two projects were gazetted today. Interested companies are invited to make development proposals on or before August 15.

Town Planning Board to be consulted

"Upon receiving the expressions of interest, we will formulate the preferred mix of facilities and uses of the two sites and consult the Town Planning Board," Dr Ho said.

The ice sports centre and the bowling centre will not only help raise local standards in these sports but also enable Hong Kong to host more major international sports events and thereby attract more tourists, he said.

Briefings to outline expression of interest documents

On July 16 and July 23, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will conduct two briefings on the expression of interest documents. Those who wish to attend should call the department on 2698 7360 .

They may also call 2601 8768 or visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk to obtain the expression of interest documents or to make further enquiries.