ENG-1986 — Page 311

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RECREATION AND THE ARTS

Two such centres are under construction in the Urban Council Ngau Chi Wan Complex and the Urban Council Western Complex, and should be ready in early 1987 and mid-1988 respectively. Another centre in the Urban Council Sai Wan Ho Complex is being planned.

Ko Shan Theatre

The Ko Shan Theatre, opened in 1983, is a purpose-built, semi-open-air theatre available for hiring by the public. It is situated within the Ko Shan Road Park in Hung Hom and provides 3 000 seats 1 000 under cover and 2 000 in the open air.

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The Theatre is a venue for Urban Council presentations and community activities. About 105 000 people attended 150 performances in the theatre in 1986.

Indoor Stadia (Hong Kong Coliseum and Queen Elizabeth Stadium)

The Hong Kong Coliseum and the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, in their fourth and sixth year of operation respectively, are the two major multi-purpose, fully air-conditioned indoor stadia and entertainment complexes in Hong Kong. Both are under the management of the Urban Council.

Over the past three years many local and overseas celebrities as well as world ranking athletes have used the 12 500-seat coliseum for a wide variety of concerts, entertainment events and sports spectaculars. The coliseum has also accommodated several major trade exhibitions and an international conference. A unique feature of the coliseum is its arena, which can be converted into an ice rink for ice shows or recreational ice skating. Altogether, 796 000 people attended 105 shows and events staged at the coliseum in 1986.

The 3 600-seat arena of the Queen Elizabeth Stadium offers an alternative, smaller venue to the-coliseum in presenting sports, entertainment or cultural events catering to a medium-sized audience. Its distribution lobby can be used for hosting exhibitions, trade demonstrations as well as recreational activities such as chess and bridge.

Other facilities of the stadium include badminton, squash, volleyball and basketball courts, table tennis facilities as well as multi-purpose gymnasia for fitness courses and various sports, dance, or music training activities. More than 429 400 people attended events and activities at the stadium during the year.

The stadium is also the home of the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, and houses 23 sports associations in its office block.

Hong Kong Arts Centre

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The Hong Kong Arts Centre is the home of an independent non-profit making organisation which presents multi-cultural arts events, including music, drama, dance, film and the visual arts. In general, its programming emphasis is on encouraging local artists, groups and events. The Arts Centre is not financially supported by government funding, but instead relies on the support of the public and the business community for its survival.

In 1986, the three auditoria at the Arts Centre, namely Shouson Theatre, Recital Hall and Studio Theatre, were used for 1043 performances and the Pao Sui Loong Galleries held 77 exhibitions. The two rehearsal rooms, art and crafts studios, music practice rooms and other areas were used for 406 classes.

The main events of the year included a 'Trilogy' drama project, a 'Music Series', an 'International Festival', a 'Children's Festival', 'The Art of Henry Moore', 'Minority and Folk Crafts of Guizhou' and ‘An Exhibition of French Modern Art'. All these events received sponsorship from the business community.