RECREATION AND THE ARTS
Hong Kong Coliseum
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The Hong Kong Coliseum, one of Asia's largest and most sophisticated indoor stadia, is scheduled for opening by the spring of 1983. This $140 million project, to be managed by the Urban Council, is being built on the podium of the Kowloon-Canton Railway terminus at Hung Hom.
The multi-purpose 12 500-seat coliseum will become the national sports stadium of Hong Kong and will provide the territory with the most up-to-date facilities to cater for international sports events and performances, such as circuses, ice-skating, variety shows, parades and concerts, as well as trade exhibitions and conventions. A television system above the arena will project colour telecasts of events taking place.
Ko Shan Theatre
The Urban Council's Ko Shan Theatre, situated at an old quarry site, is the first open-air theatre to be built in Hong Kong. Scheduled to open in early-1983, the theatre will become the venue for a wide range of performances such as Chinese opera, orchestral concerts, and pop and variety shows. The 3 000 seats - of which 1 000 will be under cover are arranged in a fan shape around the stage, and the theatre is being equipped with the latest lighting and sound systems.
Town HallsTM
Opened in 1980, the Tsuen Wan Town Hall was the first multi-purpose cultural complex to be built in the New Territories. The main feature of the hall is a 1 424-seat multi-purpose auditorium, suitable for concerts and theatrical performances. Other facilities include an exhibition gallery, a cultural activities hall, lecture and conference rooms, a music and book shop, and a coffee lounge. Built on a 5 900-square-metre site in the centre of the new town, the hall is managed by the Cultural Services Department.
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The North District Town Hall, located on 2 750-square-metre site south of Shek Wu Hui, Sheung Shui, is part of the North District Community Centre. It was officially opened by the Governor in March 1982 and is managed by the Cultural Services Department. The hall's facilities include a 900-seat auditorium and a dance studio.
The Lut Sau Hall in Yuen Long was gazetted as a civic centre in August 1981 and has since been managed by the Cultural Services Department. The hall has a multi-purpose auditorium with 880 movable seats suitable for both concert and theatrical presentations, and a rehearsal room equipped for dance training, rehearsals and meetings.
Hong Kong Arts Centre
The three auditoria at the Hong Kong Arts Centre were used for more than 2 000 sessions and its art galleries hosted over a hundred exhibitions during the year. The two rehearsal rooms, art and crafts studios, music practice rooms and other areas were used for more than 7 000 separate sessions. Since its opening in October 1977, the Arts Centre has become well established as a major arts venue in Hong Kong, enjoying great public support and participation.
The main event of the year was the Dow Summer Arts '82, a major arts project lasting four weeks and including a wide variety of courses, lectures, workshops and special performances. Over 7 000 young people attended this summer project, being held for the second consecutive year.
Another major highlight was the Childrens' Festival, especially for the six-to-16 year olds. The festival offered three weeks of musicals, magic shows, Peking opera and