ENG-1997 — Page 455

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

There are 41 gazetted bathing beaches 12 on Hong Kong Island managed by the Provisional Urban Council and 29 in the New Territories and outlying islands by the Provisional Regional Council.

The two councils manage 16 public swimming pool complexes in each of the urban and regional areas. Competition pools in these complexes are built to international standards. Following the successful installation of water play equipment at Sham Shui Po Park, Morse Park, Kwun Tong, Tai Wan Shan and Morrison Hill swimming pools, 12 swimming pools managed by the Provisional Urban Council are now installed with such equipment for the enjoyment of the public.

The Provisional Regional Council also provides facilities such as water slides and splash pools, which are very popular with youngsters, at its Hin Tin, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, Ma On Shan and Tsing Yi swimming pools.

Sharks have been sighted in Hong Kong waters in recent early summers. For the safety of swimmers, shark prevention nets have been installed at 21 Provisional Regional Council beaches and 11 Provisional Urban Council beaches.

The councils regularly organise learn-to-swim classes. More than 42 300 people attended 2 243 swimming classes and training programmes during the year.

The councils encourage the formation of lifeguard clubs at their swimming venues to help maintain a steady supply of voluntary lifeguards to augment the regular lifeguard services. At the end of the year, 14 and four lifeguard clubs operated in the Provisional Urban Council and Provisional Regional Council areas respectively. To promote water safety, the Provisional Urban Council launched a water safety campaign in July and August.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park, on the southern side of Hong Kong island, covers 870 000 square metres. It is South-East Asia's largest aquarium and Hong Kong's premier park for recreation and entertainment. Ocean Park had more than four million guests in 1996/97. More than 45 million people, including 10 million tourists, have visited the park since it opened in 1977.

The park's attractions include a cable car system, various world-class features such as the Atoll Reef, Wave Cove, Shark Aquarium, Bird Paradise, the Butterfly House, and the 3 500-seat Ocean Theatre for marine mammal shows, and an exciting array of thrill rides. Middle Kingdom features a walk through 5 000 years of Chinese history, and Water World provides great splashing fun during the summer.

In 1991, the park unveiled a long-term development plan to add new attractions, upgrade existing facilities and improve guest services. Nine new attractions have been added since 1992. The educational and entertaining Discovery of the Ancient World opened in the summer of 1997 — the park's 20th anniversary year. Visitors trace an ancient civilisation in a rain forest filled with life-sized replicas of wild animals and plants. Early 1997 saw the opening of the Flying Swing ride, which carries visitors seven metres high in a gyrating motion.

A new film, Secrets of the Lost Temple, was launched as part of the Film Fantasia simulator ride in Christmas 1997 to offer guests greater thrills.

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