MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE
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AGAINST THE SCENIC SETTING OF BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND BRIGHT SUNSHINE, WITH COLOURFUL BALLONS SURGING TOWARDS A BLUE SKY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON UNVEILED A PLAQUE AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE MARKING HER VISIT TO THE CENTRE AND ITS OFFICIAL OPENING.
THE PRINCESS AND HER HUSBAND, THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY, WERE GREETED ON ARRIVAL AT THE CENTRE BY MR. DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS MR. MICHAEL CASWELL, PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S PHYSICAL EDUCATION, RECREATION AND SPORT UNIT, AS WELL AS MISS BETTY MAIR AND MR. DICKEN YUNG OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.
AFTER UNVEILING THE PLAQUE, THE ROYAL COUPLE TOURED THE 25-ACRE CENTRE AND OBSERVED AT CLOSE QUARTERS HOW THE YOUNG, THE OLD AND THE HANDICAPPED TAKE PART IN A WIDE RANGE OF SPORT ACTIVITIES.
THE ROYAL VISITORS FIRST WENT UP A MOUND TO WATCH A GROUP OF MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY PEOPLE PRACTISING CHINESE SHADOW BOXING (TAI CHI). THE PRINCESS SHOWED A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE SLOW BUT DISCIPLINED MOVEMENTS OF TAI CHI AND CHATTED AMICABLY WITH A WOMAN MEMBER OF THE GROUP. A BEAMING MR. OGILVY WENT SO FAR AS TO MIMICK A FEW MOVEMENTS.
DURING THE HOUR-LONG TOUR, THE ROYAL COUPLE ALSO SAW YOUNGSTERS TAKING PART IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CHINESE FOLK DANCING, FENCING, ROPEWORK AND ARCHERY. THEY ALSO SAW A BASKETBALL SESSION FOR THE HAND ICAPPED.
WHEREVER HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WENT, THE PRINCESS WAS GREETED WITH CHEERS AND SMILING FACES.
ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA STOPPED AND TALKED TO SOME OF THE YOUNGSTERS ENGAGED IN DIFFERENT SPORT ACTIVITIES.
THE ROYAL VISITORS ALSO INSPECTED ONE OF THE COMFORTABLE AND BRIGHTLY-COLOURED DORMITORIES CONVERTED FROM NISSEN HUTS. THE PRINCESS CAME AWAY IMPRESSED BY THE FACILITIES PROVIDED IN THE DORMITORY.
THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE WAS BUILT ON THE SITE OF A FORMER ARMY CAMP. IT IS THE FIRST OUTDOOR HOLIDAY RESORT OF ITS KIND MADE AVAILABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO OFFER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO BOTH THE ABLE-BODIED AND THE HANDICAPPED ON A LARGE AND ECONOMICAL BASIS. IT IS OPERATED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
AT PRESENT, THE CENTRE CAN PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR SOME 200 RESIDENTIAL CAMPERS. IT WILL BE EXPANDED LATER TO CATER FOR 400.
CAMPERS ARE CHARGED 15 EACH FOR LODGING AND C4 FOR
A MEAL.
AS FOR DAY CAMPERS, A NOMINAL FEE OF 1 EACH IS CHARGED.
OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, OVER 15,000 PEOPLE HAD USED THE CENTRE THOUGH CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION WORK OF THE CENTRE WAS UNDERWAY.
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