RECREATION AND THE ARTS
285
The Urban Council allocated a budget of $8.8 million to promote community-based recreation and sports programmes and elementary learn-to-play courses for the public through its network of 10 recreation, amenities and sports district offices and six district fitness centres providing a variety of fitness and dance activities for 67 500 people. In addition, a total of 3 600 community recreation programmes were organised for 157 000 people, including 1 400 courses for 28 000 participants in the learn-to-swim scheme.
The Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village, which offered a variety of recreation, sports and camping facilities, entertained a total of 45 500 campers this year.
Regional Council
The Regional Council provides a wide range of recreational and sports facilities in the New Territories, serving about 2.126 million people. The Regional Services Department, being the executive arm of the council, manages the council's facilities.
In 1988, major building projects completed include five indoor recreation centres and the eight-hectare Sha Tin Central Park, constructed at a capital cost of $75.14 million, with both Chinese and Western themes. In addition, the first stage of the redevelopment of Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre and the construction of the Jockey Club Wong Shek Water Sports Centre were completed on schedule. In keeping pace with the population increase in the Regional Council area, more recreational and sports facilities are at various stages of planning and construction, including major town parks, swimming pool com- plexes and indoor sports facilities.
Together with the newly-completed facilities, there are now 11 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 1.1 million people used these facilities.
The council is responsible for the management and maintenance of 429 hectares of open space, providing such facilities as parks, sports grounds, soccer pitches, basketball courts and playgrounds. The up-keep of some 109 hectares of amenity plots and soft landscape along public roads and highways also come under the council's jurisdiction. In 1988, over 375 000 trees, shrubs, palms, creepers, ground covers and seasonal flowers were planted by the council to beautify the environment.
One of the council's primary objectives is to encourage more use of leisure time and the development of healthy leisure pursuits. A wide range of recreation and sports activities is organised by the council at the district level for people from all walks of life. Basic instruction courses in sports, camp programmes, excursions, fun days, sports competitions and fitness programmes as well as special recreation and sports programmes tailor-made for the very young, the elderly and the disabled are also organised. Some 4 026 community- based recreation and sports programmes were held, attracting 224 603 participants. Many of these programmes were jointly organised with other local organisations and sports bodies, such as district boards and district sports associations.
The council offers subsidies to sports and community bodies for the organisation of various programmes. During the year, subsidies amounting to $1.8 million were allocated in support of 106 projects, benefiting 62 430 people.
The council operates two holiday camps and three water sports centres. Over-night accommodation is provided in these centres for the public to enjoy peace and quiet in a rural environment, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Apart from meeting recreational needs, the water sports centres also provide training for beginners in water sports. Mobile exhibitions organised by the council help provide more information about