RECREATION AND THE ARTS
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visitors. Its swimming pool complex consists of outdoor fun pools and a heated indoor Olympic-standard swimming pool with sophisticated timing and scoring equipment as well as an adjustable pool floor. Other major features include a large air-conditioned indoor games hall with spectator seating sufficiently large to host most recognised indoor games, a piazza, a loggia, a bird lake, a sculpture walk, water features and modern children's playgrounds.
The new electronic scoreboard at the Hong Kong Stadium became fully operational in March 1989. This sophisticated scoreboard can be used for a variety of scoring systems. It can also display safety information, messages and advertisements to meet the needs of both the hirers and the audience.
Work on the new Museum of Art progressed smoothly and should be completed in 1991. Recladding work on the Space Museum continued while planning is in hand for a garden and an underground carpark.
The superstructure of the Museum of Science and Technology in Tsim Sha Tsui East was topped-out in July 1989 and construction is due to be completed in 1990. The first phase of the development comprises a four-storey museum containing purpose-built interactive exhibits, a large central piazza and a landscaped garden linked with the surrounding area by an above-ground walkway system.
Work on the extension building of the Museum of History in Kowloon Park was completed in early 1989, providing an additional 1000 square metres of flexible exhibi- - tion space.
With a budget of $5.5 million, the council, through its Sports Subvention Office, pro- vided financial support to sports and recreation events jointly presented with governing bodies of sports and other organisations. The 210 programmes promoted in the year in- cluded urban and territory-wide competitions such as leagues and championships, grass- roots training courses, sports promotion schemes, spectator events and special projects such as school sports, the annual Festival of Sport, and sports activities for the disabled and elderly. Some 270 000 people took part in these activities, which attracted many spectators.
The council allocated a budget of $9.7 million to promote community-based recreation and sports programmes for the public through its 10 recreation, amenities and sports district offices, and 10 district fitness centres. In 1989, the council organised a total of 6 163 recreation and sports programmes for 218 974 people. Among these were 1 473 courses under the learn-to-swim scheme for 27 707 participants, and 3 546 fitness and dance activities for 94 601 people.
In addition to the above community-based programmes, a variety of recreation and sports activities like indoor archery, bowling, hiking and orienteering were organised for the 135 388 campers at Lei Yue Mun Park during the year.
Regional Council
The Regional Council provides a wide range of recreational and sports facilities in the New Territories, serving more than two million people. The Regional Services Department, being the executive arm of the council, manages the council's facilities.
In 1989, three major indoor recreation centres were completed at a total cost of $87.65 million. This brings the total number of indoor recreation centres to 13 in the Regional Council area, offering purpose-built facilities for various sports including basketball, volleyball, badminton, table-tennis, squash and gymnastics.