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1 44 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Local Workshop/Seminar Basic Training for Training Officers Commissioned outside organization In-house 17 10 Hong Kong Technical Teachers College Basic Training for Training Officers in G.D.T. 14 Overseas General Management Course at Henley, U.K. 'Advanced Management in Government' course at the Royal Institute of Public Administration (R.I.P.A.) in U.K. Overseas Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School, U.S.A. 2 1 1The Department has also identified, through the Training School, the appropriate management training expertise provided by the Banff School of Advanced Management in Canada for selected departmental senior managers for career development. This expertise is being made use of in the current year.
5. MR. AUGUSTINE S. K. CHUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):—There have been complaints from the public that the location of the Ko Shan Theatre-in-the-park is not widely known; what are the details of the Theatre, what efforts have been made to publicize its locality and what else can be done to make it more popular?
THE CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR. FREDERICK K. K. FUNG replied as follows (in Cantonese):--This question concerns the Ko Shan Theatre and is in three parts:
(a) what facilities are provided at the Theatre;
(b) what efforts have been made to publicize its locality; and
(c) what measures are being taken to make the Theatre more popular.
The Ko Shan Theatre is the first purpose-built open-air theatre to be provided by the Council. It has a seating capacity of 3,000 of which 2,000 seats are in an upper level open-air section. The covered portion of the Theatre is served by a mechanical ventilation system. Set in the midst of Ko Shan Park, which is adjacent to the Lok Man Estate in Hung Hom, the Theatre is equipped with modern stage facilities and sound and lighting system, and has proved to be suitable for a wide variety of events. The Theatre is accessible by public transport on the western side of the Kowloon Peninsula. However, experience shows that the Theatre is too hot at the height of summer and too cold in the coldest winter months. The Culture Select Committee is, therefore, considering how the situation might be improved to enable the Theatre to be better utilized all year round, but meanwhile, events are planned in such a way so as to minimize any discomfort to the audience and the performers.
Since the Theatre opened in April 1983, special efforts have been made to publicize its locality. These include the issue of press releases; a press visit in November 1983; distribution of location maps, programme schedules and special posters; circulation of Theatre specifications to prospective hirers; coverage of the Theatre facilities in various television programmes; display of programme information at the main entrance of the Ko Shan Park; and the provision of a free shuttle bus service during the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
As a result of these efforts and careful attention to the type and quality of events held at the Theatre, the Theatre attracted over 180,000 people in its first year of operation, ending 31 March 1984.
These efforts will continue in the future, and in addition, consideration is being given to the organization of a live television show at the Theatre and the use of bus panel and cinema advertising. Close liaison is being maintained with District Boards, community organizations and schools with a view to encouraging them to make more frequent use of the Theatre for community events.
MR. YOUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, on the second part of the question, that is, the locality of the Ko Shan Theatre. I wish to ask whether the Urban Council had previously requested the Highways Office to set up special signs to direct vehicles to the Ko Shan Theatre, and whether this request had been refused? If the answer is the affirmative, will the Council again solicit the co-operation of the Highways Office in future?
MR. FREDERICK FUNG (in Cantonese): It is true that we have put forward suggestions to the Highways Office, but these have been turned down. I believe Members of our Committee and Members of the Standing Committee could also discuss this particular matter. If there is unanimous agreement, we should urge the Highways Office to add such road signs, and will try our best to make sure we secure the co-operation of the Highways Office.
MR. LAU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, Mr. FUNG said improvements are being considered, but how long would it take before improvements would be forthcoming? Now could I ask what is the rental rate of local organizations of the Ko Shan Theatre, Mr. FUNG?
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