ENG-1976 — Page 254

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Recreation

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IN the provision of recreational and cultural facilities, several major enterprises reached completion in 1976 and work was begun on one of the most ambitious of all projects—the $200 million-plus Cultural Complex on the waterfront at Tsim Sha Tsui.

The government approved funds for the first phase of the complex in August, allocating $15.5 million for the reclamation of land to enlarge the site. Work began shortly after to prepare a section of the site for the first building-a $20 million planetarium which is being financed by the Urban Council. It is expected to be completed by mid-1978. The rest of the complex is to be built and financed by the government, and work on the construction of a concert hall, theatre, restaurant and administrative offices is due to start in 1978. The third stage—an art gallery and a museum-is scheduled to begin in 1980.

Earlier in 1976 the government completed three indoor games halls in Kowloon. Work was also begun on two multi-purpose indoor stadia suitable for holding a wide range of local and international sporting and entertainment events. The 3,500-seat stadium on Hong Kong Island will be part of a 12-storey sports complex which is being built at an estimated cost of $27 million. The $60 million-plus stadium in Kowloon, which is to form part of the new railway terminus complex at Hung Hom, will seat 15,000. And on land reclaimed from the sea off the densely populated area of Wan Chai, work began during the year on a recreation centre which will include a 25-acre sports ground, an indoor games hall and a swimming pool.

To cater for the ever increasing thousands of people who spend their leisure time in the countryside, a Country Parks Ordinance was implemented to open up large areas of countryside and develop the recreational potential of such areas.

As a result of community enterprise, a 19-storey Arts Centre costing some $30 million was virtually completed by the end of the year, and a private enterprise achievement was the completion of the Aberdeen oceanarium complex-the largest of its kind in the world and also having Hong Kong's first cable car system. The Ocean Park has a wide variety of animal and marine life from many countries.

Recreation and Sport Service

In its second year the Recreation and Sport Service expanded its activities to all 17 districts of Hong Kong and the number of full-time officers working in the districts rose from six to 68. They organise sports, physical recreation and a variety of leisure activities, helping the community to make full use of all the facilities available. The