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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1977
MR. BRAY ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT TO ENABLE ACTION TO BEGIN AT ONCE A PROVISIONAL BOARD WILL BE SET UP TO APPOINT A CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND PROCEED WITH DETAILED PLANNING OF THE CENTRE.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERING A SUITABLE NAME FOR THE CENTRE.
THE CONCEPT OF THE NEW SPORTS CENTRE GREW OUT OF THE JOCKEY CLUB'S DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW RACECOURSE AT SHA TIN, THERE WERE ALREADY PLANS FOR A PASSIVE+ LANDSCAPED RECREATION AREA IN THE CENTRE OF THE RACECOURSE, AN ATTRACTIVE AREA FOR RELAXATION.
HOWEVER, THE STEWARDS RECOGNISED THAT THE ROAD AND RAIL ACCESS ALREADY PROVIDED FOR THE RACECOURSE WERE ALSO A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE ACCESS TO A CENTRE FOR ACTIVE SPORTS ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALE AND IN A TOTALLY NEW WAY.
ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME THE CLUB WAS STILL INVOLVED IN THE COMPLETION OF OCEAN PARK AND HAD HEAVY CAPITAL COMMITMENTS IN COMPUTER ISATION OF BETTING SYSTEMS AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHA TIN ITSELF THE STEWARDS DECIDED THAT THIS OPPORTUNITY SHOULD NOT BE MISSED AND THAT FUNDS OUGHT TO BE FOUND FOR IT,
THE SPACE FOR THE NEW SPORTS CENTRE, ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS HAPPY VALLEY WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE REARRANGEMENT OF BUILDINGS ON THE RACECOURSE COMPLEX.
THE FACILITIES AT THE NEW SPORTS CENTRE WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18. PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY IN THEIR CHOSEN SPORTS AND SELECTION WILL BE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SCHOOLS, DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS AND CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS.
THE CENTRE WILL ALSO BE OPEN TO INDIVIDUAL +ASSOCIATE+ MEMBERS WHO WILL BE SELECTED BY THE MANAGEMENT ON ATHLETIC MER IT AND WHO WILL BE EXPECTED TO PAY A SMALL ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.
IN ADDITION TO THE APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF EXECUTIVE WITH A SPORTS BACKGROUND THE CENTRE WILL EMPLOY TOP-CLASS COACHES,
INCLUDING COACHES FROM OVERSEAS WHO ARE SPECIALISTS IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
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