RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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The Hong Kong school was commissioned to monitor and advise in the development of the new Outward Bound School in Japan.

School facilities were improved with the completion of two new accommodation blocks containing six staff flats, financed by a Bradbury Trust donation. In addition, the entire equipment complex was overhauled, the ropes course renovated and trainee equipment significantly upgraded to meet greater use.

Expansion plans include providing a permanent annex capable of housing an additional 36 trainees in Wong Wan Chau in Double Haven and the possible development of a separate sailing centre at Tai Mong Tsai.

Adventure Ship

The Adventure Ship Huan has been providing underprivileged and handicapped young people in Hong Kong with skill and character training for 12 years. Since 1977, about 50 000 young people have benefited from Adventure Ship programmes. In 1989 some 5 500 youths took part.

Huan is a 27.5 metre, three-masted Chinese junk, probably one of the largest sailing junks in the world.

Adventure Ship Limited is a registered charity largely supported by the Community Chest and the Jockey Club. Volunteers provide their services free to the organisation enabling training activities to be provided at a fraction of their real cost. As a result, thousands of young people are able to participate in activities which, otherwise, they could not afford.

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Ocean Park

Ocean Park, Asia's largest oceanarium and fun park located on the south side of Hong Kong Island overlooking the South China Sea, has just completed a further major development, a $70 million crafts village called Middle Kingdom.

Another development will be a shark aquarium due to open to the public in mid-1990. During the year more than two million visitors went to Ocean Park and Water World, an all-time record.

The park comprises 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 from Tai Shue Wan.

The park's attractions include six 'thrill rides', with one of the longest and fastest roller coasters in the world. There is also the Ocean Theatre, featuring killer whales, dolphins and a high diving show. Other major attractions are the Wave Cove with sea lions, seals and penguins and the Atoll Reef, one of the world's largest aquaria.

In the lowland area Water World, the first water playpark of its kind in Asia, provides summer visitors with a variety of water activities. Also in the lowland area is a Golden Pagoda housing over 100 species of goldfish, Cine 2000, a Greenhouse Complex, a Butterfly House with some 1 500 butterflies, and a Children's Adventure World.

The aviary in Tai Shue Wan is now home to more than 2 000 birds, making up 150 species, and has a bird theatre, exhibition hall, parrot garden and flamingoes.

Jubilee Sports Centre

The Jubilee Sports Centre is a centre of sporting excellence for producing international- class athletes and coaches, providing positive leadership, top quality facilities, technical resources and fostering good international relations. It has operated independently since 1987, with an endowment of $350 million from the Jockey Club.

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