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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
The park comprises both headland and lowland areas, linked by a cable car system. Access to the headland may also be made by means of the world's longest covered outdoor escalator.
The park's attractions include six 'thrill rides', featuring one of the longest and fastest roller coasters in the world. There is also the Ocean Theatre, featuring a killer whale, dolphins, sea lions and a high diving show. Other features are the Wave Cove with sea lions, penguins and pelicans, and the Atoll Reef, the world's largest aquarium.
Also in the park is Water World, the first water playpark of its kind in Asia which provides visitors with a variety of water activities, a Golden Pagoda housing over 100 species of goldfish, the Garden Theatre, and Cine 2000, a new and exciting concept in cinema entertainment.
A new inflight-aviary in Tai Shue Wan was opened by Princess Margaret in May. Home to more than 2 000 birds including 150 species, the aviary includes a bird theatre, exhibition hall, parrot garden, and flamingoes.
Later in the year, the park opened the newly-renovated Wave Cove, a Greenhouse Complex, and a Butterfly House.
The park's further development plans include a $40-million crafts village to be called the Middle Kingdom, a Children's Adventure World, Shark Aquarium, Pacific Science Centre, an extension to Water World and a World of the Sea Exhibit.
On July 1, the park gained autonomy from the Jockey Club and became the Ocean Park Corporation.
Jubilee Sports Centre
The Jubilee Sports Centre, a 16-hectare modern sports complex at Sha Tin, has become increasingly popular as a venue for international groups. Some groups have used it as a training venue en route to major tournaments, while others have stayed at the centre specially to work together with Hong Kong squads and the centre's coaches.
The centre also played host to many international workshops and courses and accom- modated a number of teams during the year. Major events and courses are organised in conjunction with the sports governing bodies. The combination of world standard facilities and the centre's team of expert coaches has helped achieve many outstanding results.
During the year, the Jockey Club endowed $350 million to the centre, which began to operate independently. Outstanding athletes in squash, tennis, triathlon, table tennis and fencing were awarded scholarships, and those in other sports will soon be given similar awards, thereby enabling them to concentrate on training and their performances.
Improvements have been made to some existing facilities, including enhancement of the pool to include spectator provision, an additional weight and strength facility and office, and building of a new canoe store.
Summer Youth Programme
The Summer Youth Programme is a territory-wide project organised annually during the summer months for children and youth aged between six and 25. It consists of recreational and educational programmes as well as social service activities.
For 1987, the Summer Youth Programme adopted the theme 'Share the Fun, Serve the Community'. A special theme song was composed to publicise the theme and purpose of the programme. About 10 000 activities were organised and 1 000 000 young people took part in the programme between June and September. About $15 million, of which the Jockey Club donated $6.5 million was spent on the programme. The balance was made up