RECREATION AND THE ARTS
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With a budget of $5.5 million in 1987, the Urban Council, through its Sports Promotion Office, provided financial support to events jointly promoted with governing bodies of sports and other organisations. The 3 679 sports and recreational events promoted in this way included territory-wide leagues and championships, matches and training sessions, spectator events and special projects such as school sports, the annual Festival of Sport, and sports activities for the disabled. Some 256 680 people took part in these activities which attracted many spectators.
With a programme budget of $7 million, the Urban Council promotes community-based recreation and sports programmes and elementary learn-to-play courses for the general public, through its network of 10 Recreation, Amenities and Sports District Offices and four District Fitness Centres. During the year, about 241 000 people took part in 5 520 programmes and activities, including 31 840 people in the Learn-to-Swim Scheme, and 85 000 people in fitness and dance programmes.
Regional Council
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The Regional Council, formed on April 1, 1986, is the statutory authority for the provision of recreational and sports facilities in the Regional Council area, serving a population of two million. The Regional Services Department, being the council's executive arm, takes charge of the planning and daily management of these facilities.
Building projects completed in 1987 include two indoor recreation centres and the second phase of Tuen Mun Town Park at a total capital cost of $43 million. Another three centres are scheduled to be completed in January 1988. In keeping with population growth in the Regional Council area, many more recreational and sports facilities are being built, including in particular major town parks and swimming pool complexes at population centres, as well as an ambitious building programme for indoor sports facilities, which consists of more than 30 indoor recreation centres at various stages of planning.
There are at present six indoor recreation centres in the Regional Council area, offering purpose-built facilities for various sports including basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, squash and gymnastics. During the year, more than 600 000 paid users made use of these facilities.
The council is responsible for the management and maintenance of 268 hectares of open space, providing such facilities as parks, gardens, sports ground, soccer pitches, basketball courts and playgrounds. On top of that, the up-keep of some 80 hectares of amenity plots and soft landscape along public roads and highways also come under the council's jurisdic- tion. In 1987, over 570 000 trees, shrubs, palms, creepers, ground covers and seasonal flowers were planted by the council to beautify the environment.
To encourage fuller use of leisure time and the development of healthy leisure pursuits, a wide range of activities are organised by the council at the district level for all walks of life, including basic instruction courses in sports, camp programmes, excursions, fun days, sports competitions and fitness programmes. Special recreation and sports programmes sensitive to the needs of the very young, the elderly and the disabled are also organised. In 1987, altogether 4 037 such community-based recreation and sports programmes were organised for 245 060 people living in the Regional Council area.
The above includes activities jointly organised with other government departments and outside bodies, such as district boards. These joint ventures include district sports festivals, carnivals and fun fairs - activities aimed at enhancing social cohesion through community involvement and mass participation. In 1987, some 94 870 people attended these activities.
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