ENG-1989 — Page 350

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RECREATION AND THE ARTS

The Urban Council embarked on a series of replenishment and renovation projects to improve the facilities of the major beaches on the southern part of Hong Kong Island. They include the re-sanding of Repulse Bay Beach and South Bay Beach; the re- development study of Repulse Bay Beach; the construction of service buildings for Stanley Main Beach and Shek O Beach; the feasibility studies on the construction of a promenade joining Repulse Bay Beach to South Bay Beach and possibly another one at Stanley, and the re-sanding of other beaches.

The re-sanding of Repulse Bay Beach and South Bay Beach was completed in June 1989. About 200 000 cubic metres of new sand were deposited onto the Repulse Bay Beach, and 40 000 cubic metres onto the South Bay Beach, thus doubling the sand areas of both beaches. The new sand for the projects was dredged from an area off Tsing Yi Island.

There are 22 public swimming pool complexes managed by the two councils, 14 in the Urban Council area and eight 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 12 in the New Territories.

The two councils regularly organise learn-to-swim classes to promote water safety. During the year, 1913 swimming classes and training programmes were held, attracting 39 000 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.

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Funded by the government and the Urban Council, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre is built on a choice waterfront site at the tip of the Kowloon peninsula. It provides world-class facilities for the Urban Council's various performances and functions and for hire by the public.

On November 5, 1989, the Governor, Sir David Wilson officiated at the Handing-over Ceremony of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and attended the premiere performance of its Opening Festival, An International Celebration of the Arts. The month-long opening festival featured top international and local artists and performing companies. Three days later, the Prince and Princess of Wales officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The Royal couple unveiled a plaque and also attended a special performance of the London Bach Choir with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra at the concert hall. From November 5, 1989, to the end of the year, 146 698 people including many overseas visitors attended a wide variety of performances at the Cultural Centre.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is now housed in the centre along with the Urban Council's Cultural Presentations Office, the Festivals Office and the URBTIX Central Booking Office.

City Hall

The City Hall, opened in 1962, continues to be one of the Urban Council's major cultural centres and retains its popularity as an urban centre for the performing and visual arts in Hong Kong.