XN000022-1991-06-08 — Page 4

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SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1991

ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CRREMONY WBRR THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL, DISTRICT 303, HONG KONG AND MACAU, MR TAM WING-KUN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (LCIF), MR WILLIAM WOLLARD, WHO SPECIALLY FLOWN TO HONG KONG FROM THE USA.

MR TAM SAID: "THE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT IS A SIGN OF THE LIONS' CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND WE ARE RECRUITING THE PUBLIC TO STRIVE FOR WHAT IS BEST FOR THE TERRITORY.

EXPLAINING WHY THEY HAD RAISED $11 MILLION ΤΟ FINANCE THIS NATURE EDUCATION PROJECT, HE SAID HONG KONG NEEDED AN OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE WHICH COULD PROVIDE A BASE FOR UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO CONDUCT SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD STUDIES AS WELL AS A BASE FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANISED GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION WORK.

"THERE IS ALSO A NEED FOR MORE FACILITIES TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND BETTER OUR COUNTRYSIDE WITH ITS RICH VARIETIES OF VEGETATION, WILDLIFE AND RURAL HERITAGE.

"FURTHERMORE, IT PROVIDES JOB 'OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDICAPPED TO WORK IN THE CAFETERIA IN THE CENTRE, MR TAM SAID.

THE

MR WOLLARD SAID THE CENTRE WAS THE JOINT EFFORT OF THR LIONS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHER CONCERNED CITIZENS IN EDUCATING, INFORMING AND BRINGING PLEASURE TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

HE SAID THE PROJECT WAS SO MEANINGFUL THAT CONTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF US$200,000 TO HELP MAKE EDUCATION CENTRE A REALITY.

THIS

THE LCIF HAD LIONS NATURE

"THIS IS THE LARGEST STANDARD GRANT CONTRIBUTION BY LCIF ΤΟ ONE SINGLE DISTRICT IN THE HISTORY OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION," HE NOTED.

THE CENTRE WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 2 PM TODAY. APART FROM THREE EXHIBITION HALLS FEATURING HONG KONG'S AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND COUNTRYSIDE RESOURCES, THERE ARE ALSO ATTRACTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL OUTDOOR DISPLAYS, INCLUDING AN ARBORETUM, ORCHARDS, FIELD CROPS, A CHINESE HERBAL GARDEN, A ROCK AND MINERAL CORNER AND A POULTRY CORNER.

OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDE SHELTERS, BENCHES, PICNIC SITES AND CHILDREN'S PLAY EQUIPMENT.

THE CENTRE IS OPEN DAILY FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM EXCEPT ON TUESDAY. ADMISSION IS FREE AND NO ADVANCED BOOKING IS REQUIRED. HOWEVER, SCHOOLS OR ORGANISED GROUPS PLANNING A GUIDED TOUR SHOULD CONTACT AFD'S CONSERVATION EDUCATION SECTION ON TEL. 733 2121 FOR APPOINTMENT.

VISITORS COMING BY PRIVATE TRANSPORT CAN PARK THEIR VEHICLES AT A CARPARK NEAR THE HONG KIN ROAD FIRE STATION. HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED PARKING SPACES, VISITORS ARE ADVISED ΤΟ USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

/THE CENTRE