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Upgrading the recreational facilities of a housing estate often goes beyond mere refurbishment. What really matters is whether residents want to use these spaces and whether they feel a genuine sense of community in using them.
For Link, this commitment to placemaking, or creating comfortable, liveable spaces where residents can truly feel at home, is central to its work. An example is the recently revitalised basketball court at Yiu Tung Estate in Shau Kei Wan. Bold, vibrant and full of energy, it has become a favourite gathering spot for neighbours to exercise, catch up and connect.
Perched on a hillside, the Yiu Tung Estate basketball court draws on the design theme of “Rising Sun, Illuminating the East”. Splashes of orange, yellow and blue give the playing area a fresh, eye-catching look, while new features, including a four-point line, a vertical jump tester, long-jump distance markers and dedicated photo spots, add variety to the mix. In the spectator area, the rallying cry “Born to Play, Play to Win” fills the court with energy.
Beside the court, residents coming to exercise are greeted with a 3D floor painting that quietly yet playfully brings art into their daily lives, giving them the opportunity to pause and appreciate it.
More than just a basketball court, the revitalised facility is also designed as a flexible shared space that welcomes people of all ages to gather and interact, making it a natural focal point for the community as much as a place for exercise.
Shortly after the work was completed, Link basketball team joined Eastern District councillors, an Assistant District Officer and residents for the opening ceremony. Players took to the court to trade shots and make friends, with laughter ringing out in all directions.
The court has also been selected as a venue for InspiringHK Sports Foundation’s WELL DUNK! Public Estate Basketball League & Training Programme 2025-26, themed “Born in the Estate, Limitless Potential”. These matches have brought youthful energy and a competitive spirit to the community.
Eastern District Council member Ng Ching-ching has watched the project take shape with keen interest. She praises Link for listening to residents and taking a bold, creative approach that draws on Yiu Tung Estate’s unique hilltop setting and its natural vantage point for catching the sunrise over the eastern horizon. “When people think of Quarry Bay, they think of the ‘Monster Building’. I hope that one day, when people think of Sai Wan Ho, they’ll think of the Yiu Tung Estate basketball court as a photo-worthy landmark in its own right.”
She also endorses Link’s placemaking vision of designing the basketball court around the needs of the community: “This isn’t just a sports venue. It's also a welcoming space where neighbours can rest, chat and connect.”
Since the project was completed, the Yiu Tung Estate basketball court has not only added a vibrant new space for physical exercise but also opened up new possibilities for bringing together people of different ages and backgrounds to shoot hoops, share stories and simply enjoy each other’s company.
Ah Ching, 18, grew up in Yiu Tung Estate and is now a university student. “The old court was pretty run-down, so I hadn’t played here in ages,” he says. “Now that it looks so bright and colourful, it’s much more fun to play here. I’ll definitely be inviting my friends over more often.”
Primary school student Luk, shooting hoops alongside Ah Ching, can barely contain his excitement: “I’ve never seen a basketball court in orange and yellow before!” Mr Wong is especially taken with the “Born to Play, Play to Win” slogan. “It’s so uplifting, it gives the place real vitality. I’m sure this will become a great spot for photos and for the community to gather.”
The popularity of the new court speaks for itself. Since the revitalisation, usage has increased fivefold. Looking ahead, Link welcomes community groups and organisations to explore new ways to use this space to add even more colour and greater joy to life in the neighbourhood.
