HKTDC to build a swimming pool in the sky

I had been wondering how the HKTDC would tiptoe around the PR minefield of needing to demolish a public swimming pool and sports centre (both in very short supply in Hong Kong) in order to build the Phase III of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre it so dearly wants. Today's new, free Standard newspaper gives a clue.

It reports today that the government is favouring early approval of Phase III and that TDC will hope to overcome likely public opposition to its plans by re-building a public swimming pool on top of the new extension. Let's hope it doesn't leak.

The story shows that the Macau, Venetian 'bogeyman' line is being pushed by proponents of the project. "How can we compete without it?", they plead. Hmmm. Maybe they should propose a casino on top instead of a pool....