XN000022-1981-10-08 — Page 16

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1981

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RECREATIONAL PLANS FOR TAI PO

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MANY NEW RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ARE BEING PLANNED FOR TAI PO NEW TOWN, WHICH WILL HAVE A POPULATION OF 210 000 BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

AT THE THIRD MEETING OF TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD RECENTLY, A PLAN TO PROVIDE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WAS OUTLINED FOR MEMBERS' INFORMATION.

A SWIMMING POOL BEHIND THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE READY BY 1984, WHILE A FULL SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WILL OPEN IN 1986 ON THE RECLAMATION AREA NEAR TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.

TOWN RESIDENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO COUNTRY TRAILS VIA

A RURAL FOOTPATH SYSTEM WHICH WILL LINK THE DEVELOPMENT AREAS WITH THE SURROUNDING SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE. THE PATHS AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES.

EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING CYCLE TRACK TO BRIDE'S POOL IS BEING CONSIDERED. AT PRESENT THE TRACK STARTS AT TING KOK ROAD, BUT ENDS AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, A DISTANCE OF ONLY TWO MILES.

AS FOR INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 1983.

THE CENTRE WILL INCLUDE BADMINTON COURTS, CHANGING ROOMS, STAGE FACILITIES AND SEATING FOR 500 SPECTATORS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID AS MOST OF THE PLANNED OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WOULD NOT BE READY UNTIL AFTER 1985, IT HAD BEEN ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD TO EXPLORE WAYS OF DEVELOPING TEMPORARY RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEED OF THE GROWING POPULATION.

TO THIS EFFECT, TWO TEMPORARY SOCCER PITCHES BEING BUILT IN THE TOWN SQUARE AREA ARE NEAR COMPLETION AND WILL BE IN USE FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS.

EXISTING OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN TAI PO INCLUDE THE TAI PO PLAYGROUND, TAI MEI TUK WATERSPORTS CENTRE, PLOVER COVE TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND, TAI PO KAU PARK, TAI PO KAU REST GARDEN, TAI PO TOWN SQUARE AND THE CONTOUR PARK.

THE SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL REGULARLY REVIEW PROGRESS BEING MADE AT PROVIDING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND THE EXTENT EXISTING FACILITIES ARE BEING USED.

FOR 1981/82, THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED APPROXIMATELY $500 000 FOR RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL PROJECTS.

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