ENG-1987 — Page 316

264

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

The council also offers cash subsidies to sports and community bodies for the organisa- tion of programmes aimed at promoting sports. During the year, subsidies amounting to $1.5 million were allocated in support of 92 projects, benefiting 78 975 people.

The council at present operates two holiday camps and two water sports centres, which also offer over-night accommodation of one form or another for members of the public to enjoy a few peaceful and healthy days in a rural environment, away from the rigours of city life. Apart from meeting recreational needs, the two water sports centres also provide opportunities for training beginners in various types of water sports. This year, 61 125 day- users and 99 688 over-night campers made use of the facilities provided by the council at the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre and Chong Hing Water Sports Centre.

Beaches and Swimming Pools

=

-

Swimming is by far Hong Kong's most popular form of summer recreation. During the year, some 18 million people visited the beaches and another 5.6 million used the public swimming pools managed by the Urban Council and the Regional Council.

There are at present 42 gazetted bathing beaches: 12 on Hong Kong Island managed by the Urban Council and 30 in the New Territories including the newly gazetted Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun managed by the Regional Council. Facilities provided at these beaches range from changing rooms, toilets, showers, first-aid posts, lookout towers, light refresh- ment kiosks to picnic areas and other ancilliary facilities. The water quality of these beaches is regularly checked and made known to the public.

-

There are 20 public swimming pool complexes managed by the two councils 13 in the Urban Council area and seven in the Regional Council area. The competition pools in these complexes are built to international standards. There are six public swimming pool projects under planning in the urban area and 14 in the New Territories.

The two councils regularly organise learn-to-swim classes to promote water safety. During the year, 1 621 swimming classes and training programmes were held, attracting 38 152 participants.

The two councils also offer assistance to promote the formation of life-guard clubs at their swimming venues. Apart from providing opportunities for the public to learn life-saving skills and to take part in community service, these venue-based life-guard clubs serve to maintain a steady supply of voluntary life-guards to augment the councils' regular life-guard service. At the end of the year, 20 life-guard clubs were operating at swimming pools and bathing beaches managed by the two councils.

City Hall

The City Hall - Hong Kong's most popular centre for the performing and visual arts over the past two decades – celebrated its silver jubilee during the year.

With an area of 11 000 square metres, the City Hall houses in its Low Block a 1 480-seat Concert Hall, a 467-seat Theatre, an Exhibition Hall and both Chinese and Western restaurants. In the High Block are the Hong Kong Museum of Art, an Exhibition Gallery, a 116-seat Recital Hall, two committee rooms, a public library and a Marriage Registry. The two blocks are connected by the Memorial Garden.

The City Hall has been the major venue for international and local arts festivals as well as cultural and entertainment presentations by the Urban Council performing companies and various cultural organisations. Performances by renowned international artists are also staged in the City Hall round the year. In 1987, these events included a