XN000022-1984-01-10 — Page 8

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984

COMMENTING ON THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AT DISTRICT LEVEL, SIR PHILIP PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, WITH THEIR SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL NEEDS, FOR THEIR ADVICE ON THE DESIGN OF THE SPORTS GROUND,

+IN PARTICULAR, THE BOARD'S SUPPORT HELPED TO OBTAIN APPROVAL FOR A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THIS SPORTS GROUND - A MODERN UNDERGROUND IRRIGATION SYSTEM USING RECYCLED WATER FROM THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.

+THIS SYSTEM ENABLES THE TURF TO GROW YEAR-ROUND EVEN IN THE DRY WEATHER WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TO OUR DISCOMFORT RECENTLY, THUS MAXIMISING THE USE OF THE GROUND, SIR PHILIP ADDED.

TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO MAKE FULL USE OF ALL THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE SPORTS GROUND, WHICH INCLUDE A STANDARD TURFED SOCCER PITCH, A 400-METRE ALL-WEATHER ATHLETIC TRACK WITH EIGHT LANES AND VENUES FOR TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS, SIR PHILIP SAID MOST OF THE PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES TO BE OFFERED WOULD BE LOCALLY SPONSORED.

EARLIER, THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THE SPORTS GROUND IS THE FIRST STANDARD SPORTS VENUE IN SHA TIN, PROVIDING GOOD FACILITIES WITH THE FULL RANGE OF TRACK AND FIELD ACTIVITIES.

+1 AM CERTAIN THAT THIS SPORTS GROUND WILL BECOME A POPULAR VENUE FOR BOTH LOCAL ATHLETES AND VISITORS ALIKE, MR BARNES SAID,

+ALTHOUGH THIS SPORTS GROUND IS THE LAST OF THIS PARTICULAR GROUP OF FACILITIES SITED ALONG THE SHING MUN RIVER, ELSEWHERE IN THE DISTRICT OTHER RECREATION AND CULTURAL FACILITIES ARE BEING PLANNED AND DEVELOPED, HE SAID.

THEY INCLUDE AN ARTIFICIAL TURF FOOTBALL PITCH, A TOWN PARK, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AND A MAJOR CULTURAL COMPLEX WITH AUDITORIUMS AND LIBRARY.

LATER SIR PHILIP PERFORMED A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SPORTS GROUND.

ALSO TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY WERE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NT, MR IAN MACPHERSON; THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD; THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHA TIN, MR DONALD TSANG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR NG CHAN-LAM; THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR WAI HON-LEUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR LAU HON-KIT; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR DAVID WEEKS; AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (HEADQUARTERS) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR HUGH BOYLE.

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