ENG-1990 — Page 395

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RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

The council appreciates the special needs of the disabled in sports. In 1990, a total subsidy of $91,600 was granted to voluntary agencies to organise 18 sporting events for the deaf, the blind, the handicapped and the mentally retarded. This was an increase of 80 per cent over 1989.

Subsidies are also offered to sports bodies for the organisation of sports programmes. A Sports Subsidy Scheme has been in operation since 1986 to encourage national sport associations as well as local sports bodies to organise competitions, training courses and spectator events. During 1990, subsidies amounting to $2.3 million were allocated in support of 165 projects, benefiting 144 000 people.

Qualified instructors are essential to the success of sports programmes. During the year, the Regional Council organised training courses for some 200 instructors in archery, gateball, children's dance, windsurfing and swimming.

As a catalyst to the promotion of sports and recreational events at district level, a variety of programmes including basic training courses, camping, excursions, competitions and fun days were organised in each of the nine districts in the Regional Council area. In 1990, a total of $7.38 million was allocated to the organisation of district recreation and sports. Around 221 800 people were attracted to 4 952 such activities.

Sporting and Recreational Venues

During the year, 21 new sports and recreation venues were completed in the council area. The $73.4 million Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre Phase I offers a wide range of facilities including dormitories, a swimming pool, a multi-purpose indoor games hall, squash courts and a dining hall. Six new indoor recreation centres were also completed at a total cost of $137.8 million. These are located in Tsing Yi, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Tseung Kwan O (Junk Bay) and North District.

There are at present 18 indoor recreation centres, eight swimming pool complexes, 62 tennis courts, 66 squash courts and nine sports grounds in the Regional Council area.

The council manages three water sports centres in the New Territories. The easily- accessible Tai Mei Tuk Centre is a favourite venue for the general public. The Chong Hing Centre, with its man-made lagoon, is ideal for training and practising. The Wong Shek Centre, next to Wong Shek Pier in Sai Kung, is popular for canoeing, wind-surfing and dinghy-sailing. A common membership scheme facilitates booking of these centres and promotion of activities. During the year, 51 808 day users and 3 216 campers made use of the three centres.

The Regional Council manages two holiday camps, the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village and the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre. With the completion of all three stages of redevelopment of the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre in 1990, its capacity has been expanded and the variety of facilities much enhanced. This year, 70 240 day users and 119 335 campers made use of the two holidays camps. To meet the increasing demand, a third camp in the Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre Phase I will be put into operation early in 1991.

Regional Council Festival

The Regional Council organises a month-long festival every two years, and the second such festival was one of the highlights of 1990. The opening of 'RegCo '90' on November 4 was marked by one of the biggest float parades ever staged in the territory. A 'fireworks'

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