ENG-1985 — Page 314

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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sports grounds, civic centres, libraries and museums in the non-urban areas became the responsibilities of the RSD.

In 1985, 70 640 people from various sectors of the community took part in 1746 recreation and sports programmes organised by the Regional Services Department. In addition, 725 similar projects were jointly organised with other government departments, and outside organisations. During the same period, some 941 community events of different sorts were jointly organised by the RSD and various district boards to give local residents a greater sense of district identity.

Outdoor pursuits still remain the most popular form of recreation. In 1985, a total of 65 108 day-campers and 75 999 overnight-campers took part in activities organised by the RSD at the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, the Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre and the Chong Hing Water Sports Centre.

The Regional Services Department also manages 250 hectares of open space in the non-urban areas where recreation and sports facilities are located.

In 1985, the department took over the management of more than 35 new facilities, notably the Tuen Mun Town Park, Tsang Tai Uk Recreation Ground and the extensive river-side promenades in Sha Tin. Many more recreation and sports facilities are being con- structed in the non-urban areas, including major parks in all the main population centres.

Beaches and Swimming Pools

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Swimming is by far Hong Kong's most popular form of summer recreation. During the year, an estimated 18 million people visited the bathing beaches and 4.9 million used the public swimming pools.

There are 40 gazetted bathing beaches: 12 on Hong Kong Island, managed by the Urban Council, and 28 in the New Territories managed by the Regional Services Department. The beaches are manned by lifeguards and have changing rooms, toilets, first-aid posts, lookout towers and other facilities.

On July 20, a cargo vessel went aground on Round Island resulting in an oil spillage which forced the closure of 11 beaches on Hong Kong Island for several days.

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A new swimming pool complex in Sham Shui Po Park was completed, bringing to 13 the total number of complexes managed by the Urban Council six on Hong Kong Island and seven in Kowloon. In addition, the Regional Services Department manages six swimming pool complexes. A further major swimming pool complex under construction in Tuen Mun is expected to be opened in 1986. All competition pools in the complexes are built to international standards.

There are 16 public swimming pool projects under planning, one on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and 10 in the non-urban areas. The Urban Council and the Regional Services Department regularly organise learn-to-swim classes to promote water safety. During the year, 476 swimming classes and training programmes were held, attracting 13 294 participants.

Summer Youth Programme

The primary aim of the Summer Youth Programme is to provide recreational outlets for children and youth between the ages of six and 25 during the hot summer months when schools are not in session. The programme includes recreational, cultural, sporting, development and entertainment events which provide opportunities for young people to seek fun in recreational and entertainment programmes, to learn new skills, to participate in healthy competition and to engage in community service projects.