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110
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
the venue, you would know that for many of the items, they are the only items available in China or other parts of the world.
(2) MR. JOSEPH Lai Chi-keong asked the following question (in Cantonese):- Because of the appearance of sharks in Sai Kung beaches, most watersporis are affected. It is noted that most of the scheduled programmes of the watersports centres of Regional Council have been cancelled. The opportunities for citizens 10 take part in watersports safely would be greatly reduced if there are no suitable alternative arrangements. In this connection, can the Urban Council consider:
(a) Extending the opening hours of the 14 swimming pools of the Council? If
so, what are the plans?
(b) Selecting appropriate locations from either the 11 Urban Council beaches or other bays, and suggesting that they be used by the Regional Council for holding watersports activities?
(c) Establishing its own watersports centres at the above mentioned selected
locations?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese):—This question is in three parts and concerns access to Urban Council swimming pools and bathing beaches following the recent shark incidents around Sai Kung beaches.
The first part of this question asks about extending the opening hours of Council's swimming pools. In fact, since last month, the daily operating hours of all 13 Council swimming pool complexes have been extended by one hour. In order to ensure the maintenance of satisfactory life saving standards, this is the maximum possible extension. Effective from 17 June 1995, all our pools are now open daily from 6.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. instead of the normal operating hours of 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m..
The second part of the question asks whether suitable sites within gazetted beaches in the urban area can be made available to the Regional Council for holding water sports activities. Although gazetted beaches are not suitable for holding boating activities because such activities would seriously affect the safety of swimmers, the Department has access to the Stanley Services Sailing Centre at St Stephen's Beach for organising water sports activities. The Department would certainly be pleased to assist the Regional Services Department if so requested.
The last part asks about the establishment of water sports centres. The Department has been able to secure the military sailing centre at St Stephen's Beach for the development of the Council's first water sports centre and the site will be available in mid 1997. The Department is also liaising closely with the Lands Department with a view to establishing water sports centres at the ungazetted portions of Stanley Main Beach and Shek O Quarry Basin, as well as identifying other potential sites in the southern waters for this purpose.
£485