RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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programme was around $40 million. The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club donated $14.6 million and the balance was met by the government, district boards, the Urban Council, Regional Council, private donations, sponsors and participants' fees. The Lord Wilson Heritage Trust allocated $200,000 for the organisation of heritage-related activities for youth. A total of 32 outstanding volunteers were awarded Summer Youth Programme scholarships and attended local and international training courses organised by the Outward Bound School and other institutions, or participated in youth exchange programmes.
Ocean Park
Located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, Ocean Park is Southeast Asia's largest oceanarium and Hong Kong's premier theme park. Built on a site of 87 hectares, Ocean Park also includes Water World and Middle Kingdom, a Chinese cultural village that recreates 5 000 years of Chinese history.
The park has an array of popular attractions that include world-class natural exhibits such as the Wave Cove, Shark Aquarium and Butterfly House. The cable car and Ocean Theatre, which accommodates an audience of 3 500, are also big hits.
Ocean Park has welcomed more than 36 million guests since it opened in 1977. In 1991, the park unveiled an ambitious $600 million long-term development plan to add new attractions, upgrade facilities and improve guest services. The plan, when completed, is expected to boost the park's annual attendance from the current 3.2 million to four million - by 1997.
Under the long-term development plan, Ocean Park Tower and Kids' World have already been completed. The tower, opened in mid-1992, is Southeast Asia's tallest observation tower, while Kids' World, a theme area with rides and games for children, opened in 1993 and has proved very popular with the whole family. More fun rides were added to the headland thrills area in late 1994.
Other projects under the development plan include a $60 million upgrade of the atoll reef, and the addition of a second breeding pool for killer whales and dolphins at a cost of $140 million, complete with underwater viewing and exhibits.
Hong Kong Outward Bound School' [
The Outward Bound Trust of Hong Kong Limited is a private registered charity and part of a worldwide network of 34 schools, providing training programmes for personal and professional development in an outdoor adventure environment on land and sea.
The purpose of the courses is to enhance self-confidence, resourcefulness, leadership, communication skills and personal effectiveness.
In addition to open courses for the general public, special programmes are run for the handicapped, socially-deprived and juvenile delinquents as well as employees of major corporations, smaller businesses, senior government officers and teachers.
More than 25 per cent of the enrolment is supported by an active bursary scheme enabling Outward Bound to reach the deserving and financially-disadvantaged members of the community. Seventy per cent of the courses are for the general public, youth organisations and special groups, while the rest are contract courses for corporate groups and educational institutions.