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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
associations during the year. In particular, this will enable competitors and officials to gain more international sports experience overseas. A total of 170 applications for funds were received; the largest sum paid out was $1.65 million enabling Hong Kong to participate in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
In view of increased participation in international and regional sports competitions, the ASF and OC, supported by the government, has initiated a scheme to provide major sports bodies with administrative assistance. By the end of the year, 22 sports bodies had permanent or part-time staff, and the ASF and OC and various associations were installed in offices at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.
Of the new facilities started in 1982, the laying of the foundation stone of the Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre by the Governor in March marked the beginning of work on the government's first purpose-built outdoor recreation centre. In February, the Recreation and Culture Department launched its second water sports centre with the opening of the Chong Hing Water Sport Centre in Sai Kung. Made possible by the close co-operation of a number of government departments, sporting bodies and the private sector, this centre will augment the Recreation and Sport Service's residential camping programmes provided at the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village and the Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre. Together, these three attracted a total of 23 373 visitors during the year, with 84 262 staying overnight. Good use continued to be made of sports centres at the Hung Hom Car Park, the City Lions Club and Tai Hing, attracting 32 212 participants in various programmes throughout the year. Three additional sports centres were established, two in Tsuen Wan and one on Hong Kong Island at Canal Road. These new centres maximise the use of available space to provide extra recreational facilities. Further schemes along these lines and joint ventures are being planned to provide additional facilities at a reasonable cost.
The year saw the implementation of new recreational planning standards, on the advice of a working group of representatives from the government and sports bodies, covering the standards of facilities and a new strategy for developers and architects.
In the field of dance, the Hong Kong Jing Ying Dance Troupe, managed by the Recreation and Sport Service, provided exciting opportunities for talented young amateur performers to participate in overseas tours. During 1982, the troupe performed on 24 occasions, which included a tour in the United Kingdom.
Urban Council
The Urban Council plays a major role in community life, providing a wide range of recreational and cultural facilities in the urban areas. The council's executive arm on the management and planning of the majority of its recreational facilities, including parks, playgrounds, indoor games halls, beaches and swimming pools, is the Urban Services Department's City Services Department, while its Cultural Services Department provides libraries, museums, the performing arts, films, outdoor entertainment and exhibitions of general interest. In the urban areas, this work is done under the guidance of the Urban Council, while in the New Territories, the Cultural Services Department works closely with district boards, other government departments and community associations.
Among the many Urban Council projects completed in 1982 were the seven-hectare Shek Kip Mei Park the first waterfall park to be built in Kowloon – providing a green-belt and recreational area for the 469 000 residents of Sham Shui Po, and the 1 200-metre Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade - providing a pleasant walkway and recreational ground for the fast-developing commercial district of East Tsim Sha Tsui.