XN000022-1986-03-27 — Page 47

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1736

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FEES REVISED FOR RSD RECREATION FACILITIES

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CHARGES FOR HIRING CERTAIN RECREATION FACILITIES UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE INCREASED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

AFFECTED ARE CLUBS, ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER USERS EXCEPT SCHOOLS FOR WHICH THE EFFECTIVE DATE IS APRIL 1, 1986.

THE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS (NEW TERRITORIES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1986 AND THE PLEASURE GROUNDS (NEW TERRITORIES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1986, GIVING EFFECT TO THE REVISION OF CHARGES WERE PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INCREASES WERE AIMED AT MEETING RISING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS AND MAINTAINING A SATISFACTORY SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

HE ADDED THAT THE INCREASES WOULD ONLY BRING CHARGES IN LINE WITH THOSE IN THE URBAN AREA.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE REVISED CHARGES, WHICH WERE ENDORSED BY THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, WOULD STILL CONTAIN A SUBSTANTIAL ELEMENT OF SUBSIDY - 79.6 PER CENT FOR SWIMMING POOLS, 62 PER CENT FOR TENNIS COURTS, 51 PER CENT FOR SQUASH COURTS AND 81.9 PER CENT FOR INDOOR GAMES HALLS.

WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW FEES, HOURLY CHARGES ARE $20 FOR A BASKETBALL-COURT-SIZE INDOOR GAMES HALL, $14 FOR A BADMINTON COURT, $4 FOR A TABLE TENNIS TABLE, $25 FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, AND $20 FOR AN ACTIVITY ROOM (100 SQUARE METRES AND ABOVE).

SHOULD AIR CONDITIONING BE USED, A $6 SURCHARGE PER HOUR PER ROOM IS LEVIED.

EXCEPT FOR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, SCHOOLS USING INDOOR GAMES HALLS ON WEEKDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM AND ON SATURDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM DURING THE MONTHS OF SEPTEMBER TO JULY WILL BE CHARGED AT A REDUCED RATE OF 50 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL FEE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

REVISED FEES FOR A TENNIS COURT WITH AND WITHOUT FLOODLIGHTING ARE $30 AND $15 RESPECTIVELY.

FOR SQUASH COURTS, THE REVISED FEES ARE $8 PER COURT WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING FOR EACH HALF-HOUR AND $12 PER COURT WITH AIR- CONDITIONING FOR EACH HALF-HOUR.

THE NEW ADMISSION FEES FOR SWIMMING POOLS ARE $6 PER ADULT AND $3 PER CHILD.

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