ENG-1988 — Page 345

288

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

Another important step in the council's efforts to enrich the quality of life for the people of Hong Kong was the colourful opening of the Sheung Wan Civic Centre in December.

The centre consists of a 515-seat theatre, a lecture hall, an exhibition hall, a rehearsal hall, a dance practice room, four music practice rooms and two art studios. It is the first fully-fledged community arts centre on Hong Kong Island and serves as a focal point of cultural activities for residents in the Sheung Wan area and nearby.

The Urban Council's performing companies - the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and the Hong Kong Dance Company - are housed on the centre.

A second community arts centre on Hong Kong Island, the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre, is under construction and is expected to be completed in 1991.

Ko Shan Theatre

Ko Shan Theatre, opened in 1983, is the only purpose-built semi-open-air theatre in Hong Kong. It has 3 000 seats, of which 2 000 are in the open air. Equipped with sophisticated lighting, sound and projection systems, it is suitable for a wide variety of cultural and entertainment events.

During the year, 130 828 people attended 169 performances in the theatre.

Indoor Stadia

L

The 12 500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum and the 3 600-seat Queen Elizabeth Stadium, managed by the Urban Council, are both of international standard. Some 180 presenta- tions were staged at these two multi-purpose indoor stadia during 1988, including performances by both local and overseas celebrities.

―

Attendance at the two venues for the year totalled 1 603 436.

four committee rooms for The ancillary facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium meetings and press conferences, two gymnasia for rehearsals, three squash courts, two table-tennis play-areas and a multi-purpose hall used for fencing and badminton activities – continued to provide excellent training and recreational opportunities, and were used by some 209 216 people during the year.

The Queen Elizabeth Stadium is also the home base of the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong and its 23 affiliated sports associations.

Hong Kong Arts Centre

Opened in 1977, the Hong Kong Arts Centre is an independent, non-profit-making organisation established to promote arts and culture. The Arts Centre is not financially supported by the government, but relies on the support of the public and the business community.

As a popular community centre for cultural activities easily accessible to the public, it continued to present a wide range of events, including drama, music, dance, film and the visual arts. These events, with their emphasis on promoting local artists, enjoyed much public support.

During the year the three auditoriums at the centre - Shouson Theatre, Recital Hall and Studio Theatre - were used for 987 performances. About 80 exhibitions were held in the Pao Sui Loong Galleries. The two rehearsal rooms, art and crafts studios, music practice rooms and other areas were used for 531 arts-related classes.

Main events held during the year included a children's festival, a music series, a youth drama project and a series of popular drama.

Page 345Page 346