Taikoo Primary School benefited from new development

As part of the development project at Taikoo Valley, Swire Properties will start building a new campus for Taikoo Primary School. Construction work is starting on September 18, 2000.

The Taikoo Primary School, founded in 1923, was originally established for the children of staff who worked for the Swire Group. In 1947, the school was converted into a subsidized school and opened to the public. The current campus was built in the 60's with financial assistance from the Government. Now, the school accommodates about 1,000 students every year divided into morning and afternoon sessions respectively.

With the new education policy, at least 60% of existing schools should be converted into whole-day schooling by 2003, offering better learning environment for students. Thus the upgrading of school facilities for the Taikoo Primary School is adamant.

"We are very happy that Swire Properties is going to redevelop the Taikoo Valley, offering us a new campus," said Ms. Siu Siu Yin, Headmistress of the Taikoo Primary School. "Our existing campus, being built in the 60's, is definitely insufficient to offer a decent learning environment to our students. The new campus will enable us to offer whole-day schooling."

The new campus will be about double the size of the existing campus, offering a usable space of over 100,000 sq. ft. Facilities include: 30 classrooms, computer room, multi-purpose room, medical room, remedial room, activity room, language room, art & craft room, general studies room, assembly hall and covered playground, and most importantly, a central library.

"Students of the school will now have direct access into campus, protecting them from all weathers and against any possible risks from the road," remarked Mr. Gordon Ongley, General Manager of Development & Valuations in Swire Properties, "Upon completion of the whole project, residents at Taikoo Valley will also be able to enjoy more public facilities in the vicinity, including two landscaped open areas and a community centre, enhancing the quality of life for all residents of the area."

Swire Properties will be building two residential towers offering more than 400 units in Taikoo Valley. Besides the new school, a community hall offering a nursery, a multi-purpose hall and Government offices and two landscaped open areas will also be built. The project is expected to be completed by 2003. The total development cost is estimated to exceed $1.6 billion.

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