South China AA Stadium


South China AA Stadium, also known as Caroline Hill stadium, is a multi-use stadium in Hong Kong. It is currently used mostly for sports and is owned by South China Athletic Association. Originally designed for football matches and to accommodate 12,000 spectators when it was opened in 1953.

History

South China Athletic Association, under the chairman Lee Hysan, acquired the Crown land land lease of the present site in Caroline Hill in 1927. A clubhouse and spectator stands were built in 1934.
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. New four-sized stands were built in 1953. In 1966, a bowling centre was built around the stadium, which was followed by a sports centre in 1976.

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 and a golf driving range, which the superstructure was completed in 1987. 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, all but one of the stands were demolished afterwards. The land use of dormitory was approved by the regulator in 1998.
In 2005, the club attempted to build a hotel on the former site of a stand. However, the application of the change of land use, was rejected by the Town Planning Board.
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.

Location

The stadium is located on 88. According to the club, it is located in the Causeway Bay area, however, in government's urban planning zones, it is part of Wong Nai Chung Outline Zoning Plan. 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.