ENG-1992 — Page 386

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

Sheung Wan Civic Centre is made up of a 511-seat theatre, a 150-seat lecture hall, an exhibition hall, a rehearsal hall, a dance practice room, four music practice rooms and two art studios. The Urban Council's performing companies - Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and Hong Kong Dance Company - are housed in the centre. During the year, 64 000 people attended 378 performances in the centre's theatre and lecture hall.

Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre comprises a 471-seat theatre, a multi-purpose hall, three art studios and two music practice rooms. In 1992, 58 290 people attended 247 performances in the theatre. The multi-purpose hall was extensively used for a variety of functions, including performances and exhibitions.

Indoor Stadia

Hong Kong Coliseum and Queen Elizabeth Stadium managed by the Urban Council are two of Asia's best equipped multi-purpose indoor stadia.

The 12 000-seat coliseum is a popular venue not only for pop concerts by local and international performers, but also for world-class entertainment spectaculars. In 1992 performances staged at the stadium included the Great Moscow Circus, the Magic of David Copperfield, the world championship for five-a-side football, Diana Ross in concert and Placido Domingo in concert. The 75th Lions Club International Convention was also held at the coliseum.

The giant video screen hanging above the centre of the arena is a unique feature of the coliseum. It enables spectators to watch larger-than-life telecasts in colour, including close-up, replay and slow-motion shots of events.

The compact 3 500-seat Queen Elizabeth Stadium plays host to various medium-sized productions, ranging from sports events to pop concerts, and from cultural programmes to conventions. Highlights in 1992 consisted of the Thomas and Uber Cup badminton championships, the 10th Asian Cup table tennis tournament, the jazz concert Select Live Under the Sky, the Carlsberg music festival and Air Supply in concert.

In addition to the arena, the stadium provides facilities for recreational activities, such as badminton, squash, volleyball, basketball, table tennis and gymnastics, and committee rooms for lectures and meetings.

Redevelopment of Hong Kong Stadium

Hong Kong Stadium is being redeveloped to increase its seating capacity to 40 000. The project is funded and built by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club at a cost of $850 million. On completion in early 1994, the new stadium will be managed by the Urban Council, and will provide a first-class sporting arena and large-scale centre for world class sports, pop/rock concerts and other spectator events.

With the use of the latest construction method, the rugby sevens and major soccer events can be staged in March and April 1993 at the partially completed stadium while the construction is underway.

Regional Council Venues

The Regional Council manages three major cultural centres in Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun plus three smaller ones in Yuen Long, Tai Po and Sheung Shui.

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