ENG-1993 — Page 410

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

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The year 1993 marked the 10th anniversary of the coliseum. Over 12 000 people from various social service groups, including children, young people, senior citizens and the disabled, were invited to celebrate the milestone at two ice shows in April. The celebration activities also featured a youth band performance and a demonstration of gymnastics and wushu techniques at the piazza level.

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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 1993 included a silent film classic programme Napoleon, with live orchestral accompaniment conducted by the internationally-renowned composer and conductor Carl Davis, and a concert by James Galway and Cleo Laine both of which were presented by the 1993 Hong Kong Arts Festival. Other events included the Asian Badminton Championship, the World Volleyball League and Shizuka Kudo 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

The redevelopment of the Hong Kong Stadium, costing $850 million, is funded and handled by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. On completion in March 1994, its seating capacity will be increased to 40 000. The new stadium will be managed by the Urban - Council, and will provide a first-class venue for world class sports events, pop and rock

concerts, and other spectator events.

The partially-completed stadium was opened for the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and major soccer matches in March and April. More than 60 000 spectators attended.

Computerised Ticketing

The Urban Council operates URBTIX (Urban Ticketing System), a computerised system providing a full range of ticketing services primarily in support of cultural and entertainment events. URBTIX not only sells tickets for the council's own presentations, but acts as a ticketing agent for events presented by the Regional Council, Hong Kong Arts Centre, the Academy for the Performing Arts and other organisations.

URBTIX services include counter bookings and prior reservations by telephone. Postal bookings are normally available for major events. The system also handles credit card phone orders from its registered patrons.

URBTIX operates a network of 18 outlets throughout the territory, all equipped with on-line sales terminals. During the year, 4.1 million tickets were sold through the system.

Regional Council Venues

The Regional Council manages six civic centres

three major ones in Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan

and Tuen Mun, and three others in Yuen Long, Tai Po and Sheung Shui.

Centrally-located in the town centres, each major civic centre houses a 1 400-seat multi-purpose auditorium designed for staging performances ranging from symphony concerts to ballets. Other facilities include a cultural activities hall, an exhibition gallery, lecture rooms, rehearsal areas, and music and dance studios. All facilities are offered for public hiring at reasonable charges. The civic centres are well served by public transport and there are restaurants, shopping centres and carparks in their vicinity. A renovation programme for the Tsuen Wan Town Hall was completed during the year.