XN000022-1978-02-15 — Page 15

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1978

PLANS TO OPEN COMMUNITY CENTRES ON WEEKENDS

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE PLANS FOR FACILITIES IN COMMUNITY HALLS, ESTATE WELFARE BUILDINGS AND COMMUNITY CENTRES, INCLUDING THE IR LIBRARIES, STUDY ROOMS, PLAYGROUNDS AND COMMON ROOMS TO BE OPEN ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FOR USE BY LOCAL RESIDENTS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. LEE SAID A START WOULD BE MADE IN COMMUNITY CENTRES ON MARCH 1, AND THE OPENING HOURS WOULD BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 10 P.M. FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY AND FROM 2 P.M. TO 6 P.M. ON SUNDAY.

HE SAID: +PUBLIC HOLIDAYS NORMALLY FALL ON THE OCCASION OF SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS WHICH PEOPLE GENERALLY CELEBRATE WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THUS THE CENTRES REMAIN CLOSED ON THOSE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

+HOWEVER, IF ANY NEED IS IDENTIFIED AND ADDITIONAL STAFF OR VOLUNTEERS ARE AVAILABLE, I SHALL CONSIDER OPENING COMMUNITY HALLS AND ESTATE WELFARE BUILDINGS ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TOO, HE SAID.

MR. LEE SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF STAFF IN EACH COMMUNITY HALL AND ESTATE COMMUNITY BUILDING WAS RATHER SMALL AND EXTEND I NG THE SERVICES IN THESE CENTRES WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL WORKERS.

HE HOPED THAT APPROVAL FOR THE NECESSARY POSTS COULD BE OBTAINED IN APRIL OR MAY.

MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH AT PRESENT THESE COMMUNITY CENTRES, ARE NOT OFFICIALLY OPEN ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, THE PREMISES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR ACTIVITIES WHENEVER ADVANCE BOOKING IS MADE WITH THE MANAGEMENT,

+IN ADDITION, MY STAFF FROM THESE CENTRES ORGANISE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WHICH TAKE PLACE AWAY FROM THE PREMISES.

+THESE TAKE THE FORM OF PICNICS AND OUTINGS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO WORK OR ATTEND SCHOOL, HE SAID.

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