ENG-1984 — Page 336

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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a sail training ship which could carry 60 young people. Adventure Ship Ltd was formed as a registered charity in 1978 with the aim of providing ‘skill and character development with sea adventures' for underprivileged young people in Hong Kong. The various modifications made to the 90-foot Huan also enable handicapped groups to use the vessel. In 1984, the Huan carried around 4 000 young people on trips in Hong Kong waters.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park, already the largest oceanarium in the world, extended its range of entertain- ment facilities with the completion in April of a vast redevelopment funded by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club at a cost of $240 million.

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The redeveloped park has a second entrance - by escalator at Tai Shue Wan, and the headland area now offers six major thrill rides including one of the world's longest and fastest roller coasters. These complement the headland's original features which include the Ocean Theatre and its killer whale, dolphins, sealions and high diving show, and the Atoll Reef and Water Cove.

The lowland area is now the site of Asia's first water playpark, Water World, which has giant slides, a wave pool, a rapids ride, a toddlers' pool, and a splash pool. The playpark adds further variety to the lowland area's already extensive attractions, including a zoo, children's playground, goldfish exhibition, dolphin feeding pools and a garden theatre. In addition, there is a new Chinese restaurant.

Ocean Park, which opened in 1977 and attracts large numbers of visitors, has a cable car system which links the lowland and headland areas.

Hong Kong Coliseum

The 12 500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum, opened in 1983, is one of the largest and best equipped multi-purpose indoor stadia in Asia. The Coliseum, managed by the Urban Council, is fully air-conditioned and fitted with the latest electronic sound and lighting systems. The arena can be over-laid with wooden flooring or a rubberised surface to cater for various sports events and can be converted into an ice-skating rink for ice shows or recreational skating. The stadium is also equipped with a large central television screen above the arena.

Presentations during the year included performances by top artists, family entertainment shows and sports events involving leading sportsmen and women. In total, around 687 000 people attended these presentations.

Queen Elizabeth Stadium

Since its opening in 1980, the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, managed by the Urban Council, has been an important venue for local and international sports events and musical, cultural and entertainment programmes. The stadium complex includes an air-conditioned arena with seating for 3 500, committee rooms, a multi-purpose hall, squash courts, table tennis play area and gymnasia.

The top three floors of the stadium's tower block house the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong and 23 national sports associations. This has facilitated the co-ordination and promotion of sports activities in the territory.

Jubilee Sports Centre

The Jubilee Sports Centre, a 16-hectare modern sports complex at Sha Tin, has become increasingly popular as a venue for international groups. Some have used it as a training