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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
people. A new hostel at Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island was opened by the Governor in October. The project consisting of four separate buildings surrounding a central courtyard, a camp site and sitting out area - was funded by a $4 million donation from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The association covers its running costs from membership fees and overnight charges for the use of hostels. Capital expenditure is met by the association's own fund raising activities and by grants from charitable institutions. Plans are being prepared for the enlargement of the popular hostel at Pak Sha O in Sai Kung Country Park, for which approximately $3.5 million will be needed.
Outward Bound
The Outward Bound School continued to play an important part in the development of Hong Kong's community by providing intensive, high-level training courses for children, students, business executives and the handicapped in a variety of outdoor pursuits.
The training ship, the brigantine Ji Fung, now sails to China, including Hainan Island, and to the Philippines and in October represented Hong Kong at the Osaka Tall Ships' Festival. The ship sailed to Osaka with an all-girl crew and took part in a week's festivities. The school, on the Sai Kung peninsula, widened its range of land-based courses to include special skills such as rock climbing and orienteering.
To bring the benefits of Outward Bound training within the reach of a wider section of Hong Kong's community, the year saw the introduction of a $670,000 government subvention scheme to help deserving young people who are unable to afford the full course fees. During the year, more than 1000 young persons, many handicapped or socially underprivileged, benefitted from subsidised places on selected courses.
Ocean Park
Ocean Park, one of the world's largest oceanaria, will complete its major-redevelopment programme, which continued throughout the year, early in 1984. Developed by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club on land granted free by the government, the park spans a high rocky peninsula between Aberdeen and Deep Water Bay on Hong Kong Island, with 88-hectare headland and lowland sites linked by cable car.
Existing attractions include performances at the Ocean Theatre by trained dolphins, a killer whale and sealions; an atoll reef; and a simulated coastline of rocks and waves which allows visitors to watch and feed seals, sealions and penguins. To this will be added a second entrance in Tai Shue Wan Bay with a spectacular escalator up the side of the headland, and five major thrill rides including the longest and fastest roller-coaster in Asia. In spring, 1984, a major water playpark in the park's lowland area will open to the public.
Hong Kong Coliseum
The 12 500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum, one of the largest and best equipped multi-purpose indoor stadia in Asia, was opened in April. It is the national stadium of Hong Kong and the major venue for international professional sports events, entertainment, exhibitions and conventions.
The Coliseum, managed by the Urban Council, is built on the podium of the Kowloon- Canton Railway terminus at Hung Hom. It is fully air-conditioned and fitted with the latest electronic sound and lighting systems. The arena can be overlaid with wooden flooring or rubberised surfaces to cater for different sporting activities, or can be converted into an ice-skating rink. A projection system above the arena enables the audience to watch colour