RECREATION AND THE ARTS
One major building project completed in the year was the $63 million Tso Kung Tam Park Stage I, an outdoor recreation centre in Tsuen Wan. Also completed on schedule was the Stage II re-development of the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre at a cost of $26 million. Facilities provided in these outdoor centres include air-conditioned dormitories and canteens, swimming pools, games halls and playgrounds for various ball games.
Other major facilities for which site formation has started are the Tai Po sports complex, the Sai Kung swimming pool and sports complex, three additional recreation centres and the Yuen Long Town Park estimated to cost $414.5 million.
The council is responsible for the management and maintenance of 510 hectares of open space, providing such facilities as parks, sports grounds, soccer pitches, basketball courts and playgrounds. The upkeep of some 110 hectares of amenity plots and soft landscape along public roads and highways also comes under the council's jurisdiction. In 1989, over 318 000 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 are run on sports, camp programmes, excursions, fun days, sports competitions and fitness programmes as well as special recreation and sports programmes tailor-made for the young, the elderly and the disabled. In 1989, some 5 045 community- based recreation and sports programmes were held, attracting 221 000 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 142 projects, benefiting 126 604 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. This year 88 600 day users and 121 000 over-night campers used the facilities provided by the council at the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre, Chong Hing Water Sports Centre and the Jockey Club Wong Shek Water Sports Centre.
During the year, the council's district festivals subsidy scheme, which was designed to support large-scale district-wide recreational, sporting and cultural events in the community, was well used by the districts. About $4.82 million was allocated to the nine districts in support of their festive celebrations.
Beaches and Swimming Pools
Hong Kong's most popular form of summer recreation, by far, is swimming. During the year, some 13.9 million people visited the beaches and another 5.2 million used the public swimming pools managed by the Urban Council and the Regional Council.
There are at present 42 gazetted bathing beaches, 12 on Hong Kong Island managed by the Urban Council and 30 in the New Territories managed by the Regional Council. Facilities provided at these beaches range from changing rooms, toilets, showers, first-aid posts, lookout towers, light refreshment kiosks to picnic areas and other ancillary facilities. The water quality of these beaches is regularly checked and made known to the public.
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