XN000022-1984-01-08 — Page 2

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984

SIR PHILIP TO OPEN SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND

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THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEWLY COMPLETED SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND AT 3 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10).

THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND COMPLETES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON AN 8.2-HECTARE STRIP OF LAND ON THE WATERFRONT OF THE NORTHERN BANK OF SHING MUN RIVER, THE FACILITIES WILL ENABLE THE RESIDENTS TO SWIM, PLAY TENNIS, SQUASH, FOOTBALL, MINI-SOCCER, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL AND TO TAKE PART IN ATHLETIC EVENTS.

THE FACILITIES ARE LOCATED ACROSS THE WAY FROM TWO LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES - LEK YUEN AND WO CHE AT THE HEART OF THE NEW TOWN.

THE NEW SPORTS GROUND ITSELF COVERS 3.2 HECTARES, AND COSTS ABOUT $2.5 MILLION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.

DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE SPORTS GROUND HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE NTSD FOR MANAGEMENT.

THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE SPORTS GROUND IS A FULL-SIZE SOCCER FIELD, WITH GRASS CHOSEN TO STAND UP TO HEAVY USE.

AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT AND A SPECIALLY DESIGNED DRAINAGE SYSTEM HAVE BEEN INSTALLED THERE TO HELP MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF THE TURF.

SURROUNDING THE SOCCER PITCH IS A 400-METRE ALL-WEATHER ATHLETIC TRACK WITH EIGHT LANES. A FULL RANGE OF FACILITIES FOR SHOT PUTTING, DISCUS AND JAVELIN THROWING, HIGH JUMPING, POLE VAULTING AND LONG AND TRIPLE JUMPING ARE ALSO PROVIDED.

FLOODLIGHTING HAS ALSO BEEN INSTALLED.

THERE IS A COVERED SPECTATOR STAND FOR 3 000 PEOPLE, AS WELL AS AN OFFICE BUILDING, TOILETS AND CHANGING ROOMS WITH HOT AND COLD WATER SHOWERS.

SIR PHILIP WILL PERFORM THE OPENING CEREMONY ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10) AT 3 PM.

WITH SIR PHILIP AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES AND THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD,

/ALSO PRESENT