Page 92 of 182
176
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The second part of the question relates to the Urban Council's future plans with regard to the senior sectors of the community. To answer this, I will deal separately with the provision of cultural and entertainment services and the provision of leisure services for elderly people.
The Council's public libraries will continue to provide special services for senior citizens: these include the block loan of books to elderly centres, provision of folk music records and tapes which are to the taste of the elderly and the holding of interest group activities as part of UCPL extension programmes. While senior citizens are always welcome to take advantage of the Council's cultural and entertainment programmes and facilities, we see no need to organize urban-wide festivals specifically for this sector of the community. Programmes and functions for senior citizens are staged regularly by the Urban District Boards and, in this connection, you may be interested to know that the Council's Ko Shan Theatre has been offered for use free-of-charge as a joint Urban Council/Kowloon City District project.
With regard to recreational and sporting activities, the Urban Council has long recognized the needs of senior citizens. Accordingly the Council's Recreation and Sports Service programmes include events specifically designed for the elderly and in fact a Sports Day for the elderly in Mong Kok will be held next month. The number of these programmes has increased from 235 in 1987-88 to 392 in 1988-89. These programmes are free-of-charge and include activities such as swimming, use of fitness centres, dance classes and recreational excursions. There are currently no plans to organize urban-wide festivals specifically for senior citizens. However, all district and regional festivals, such as the Queen's Birthday Celebrations, include programmes for senior citizens.
MR. WALTER M. SULKE (in English):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman, so that I do not have to declare an interest. I wonder whether it would not be a good idea, if we make some of our normal events free of charge to those over 70?
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):—Is it a question? Well, we have considered the question. Actually, in the Regional Council, they made the age limit 65 but we considered very carefully and came to the conclusion that 60 was the better age. If you can give the reason why it should be 70, then I suggest you raise it at our select committee.
MR. WALTER M. SULKE (in English):—I am afraid you misunderstood me. What I was saying was that we should make some of our concerts and plays etc., free of charge to those of 70.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I think the answer would be that we put that before the Administration Select Committee because after the age of 70, it seems the reasonable time to let people go without charge so we can discuss it.
2.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG asked the following question (in Cantonese):—
177
(a) Is the Urban Council ready and willing to play a more dynamic role in the promotion of sports in Hong Kong?
(b) The enthusiasm of Hong Kong people in watching spectacular sports was clearly indicated by the recent Olympic Games and the Tennis Championship Hong Kong 1988. Has the Urban Council any new thoughts and explorations in presenting or help organizing more spectacular sports and international exhibition matches in our well-equipped sports venues, swimming pools and the 'Hong Kong Coliseum'?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT replied as follows (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, This question is in two parts. The first part concerns the role of the Urban Council in the promotion of sports in Hong Kong; the second asks the Council's view on the presentation of sports spectaculars and international exhibition matches in Urban Council venues.
The Urban Council has long taken the lead in the promotion of sports in Hong Kong. This has been achieved through the provision of sports facilities suitable for both novices and world-class athletes; the provision of funds for training and competitions organized by the sports associations; and the organization of training courses in many different sports.
In the last five years, the Urban Council had spent over $500M on development of various sports facilities, $15.6M in promoting various sports at a grassroot level through the 'Learn to Play' programmes, and $5.5M per year in direct support to sports associations.
The Council is already committed to an expenditure of $1,400M in the next five years on new sports facilities including the Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground, Tung Chau Street Park, the Indoor Games Hall and Park on Western Reclamation and the Lai Chi Kok Park Stages I and II. A total of 107 capital projects are currently under active planning.
The Urban Council is, therefore, already playing a dynamic role at the forefront of work to promote sports in Hong Kong.
Turning to the second part of this question; the organization of sports spectaculars. For the purpose of this reply, it is assumed that sports spectaculars are programmes designed primarily as spectator events.
In 1986, Urban Council, in conjunction with Regional Council and Council for Recreation and Sports, agreed on a demarcation of responsibilities for the funding of sports. According to this agreement, the Municipal Councils concentrate firstly on provision of venues and their management, and then, secondarily, on district-based activities; grassroot training, approved sports development schemes; local territory-wide leagues and championships and multi-district competitions. In addition, the Councils may also promote special projects such as school sports, sports activities for the physically handicapped
Page 92 of 182
Page 92 of 182
176
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The second part of the question relates to the Urban Council's future plans with regard to the senior sectors of the community. To answer this, I will deal separately with the provision of cultural and entertainment servcices and the provision of leisure services for elderly people.
The Council's public libraries will continue to provide special services for senior citizens: these include the block loan of books to elderly centres, provision of folk music records and tapes which are to the taste of the elderly and the holding of interest group activities as part of UCPL extension programmes. While senior citizens are always welcome to take advantage of the Council's cultural and entertainment programmes and facilities, we see no need to organize urban-wide festivals specifically for this sector of the community. Programmes and functions for senior citizens are staged regularly by the Urban District Boards and, in this connection, you may be interested to know that the Council's Ko Shan Theatre has been offered for use free-of-charge as a joint Urban Council/Kowloon City District project.
With regard to recreational and sporting activities, the Urban Council has long recognized the needs of senior citizens. Accordingly the Council's Recreation and Sports Service programmes include events specifically designed for the elderly and in fact a Sports Day for the elderly in Mong Kok will be held next month. The number of these programmes has increased from 235 in 1987-88 to 392 in 1988-89. These programmes are free-of-charge and include activities such as swimming, use of fitness centres, dance classes and recreational excursions. There are currently no plans to organize urban-wide festivals specifically for senior citizens. However, all district and regional festivals, such as the Queen's Birthday Celebrations, include programmes for senior citizens.
MR. WALTER M. SULKE (in English):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman, so that I do not have to declare an interest. I wonder whether it would not be a good idea, if we make some of our normal events free of charge to those over 70?
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):-Is it a question? Well, we have considered the question. Actually, in the Regional Council, they made the age limit 65 but we considered very carefully and came to the conclusion that 60 was the better age. If you can give the reason why it should be 70, then I suggest you raise it at our select committee.
MR. WALTER M. SULKE (in English):-I am afraid you misunderstood me. What I was saying was that we should make some of our concerts and plays etc., free of charge to those of 70.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I think the answer would be that we put that before the Administration Select Committee because after the age of 70, it seems the reasonable time to let pepole go without charge so we can discuss it.
2.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 92 of 182
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG asked the following question (in Cantonese):--
177
(a) Is the Urban Council ready and willing to play a more dynamic role in the
promotion of sports in Hong Kong?
(b) The enthusiasm of Hong Kong people in watching spectacular sports was clearly indicated by the recent Olympic Games and the Tennis Championship Hong Kong 1988. Has the Urban Council any new thoughts and explorations in presenting or help organizing more spectacular sports and international exhibition matches in
our well-equipped sports venues, swimming pools and the 'Hong Kong Coliseum”?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT replied as follows (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, This question is in two parts. The first part concerns the role of the Urban Council in the promotion of sports in Hong Kong; the second asks the Council's view on the presentation of sports spectaculars and international exhibition matches in Urban Council venues.
The Urban Council has long taken the lead in the promotion of sports in Hong Kong. This has been achieved through the provision of sports facilities suitable for both novices and world class athletes; the provision of funds for training and competitions organized by the sports associations; and the organization of training courses in many different sports.
In the last five years, the Urban Council had spent over $500M on development of various sports facilities, $15.6M in promoting various sports at a grassroot level through the 'Learn to Play' programmes, and $5.5M per year in direct support to sports associations.
The Council is already committed to an expenditure of $1,400M in the next five years on new sports facilities including the Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground, Tung Chau Street Park, the Indoor Games Hall and Park on Western Reclamation and the Lai Chi Kok Park Stages I and II. A total of 107 capital projects ate currently under active planning.
The Urban Council is, therefore, already playing a dynamic role at the forefront of work to promote sports in Hong Kong.
Turning to the second part of this question; the organization of sports spectaculars. For the purpose of this reply it is assumed that sports spec- taculars are programmes designed primarily as spectator events.
In 1986, Urban Council, in conjunction with Regional Council and Council for Recreation and Sports, agreed on a demarcation of responsibilities for the funding of sports. According to this agreement, the Municipal Councils concentrate firstly on provision of venues and their management, and then, secondarily, on district based activities; grassroot training, approved sports development schemes; local territory wide leagues and championships and multi-district competitions. In addition the Councils may also promote special projects such as school sports, sports activities for the physically handicapped
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