ENG-2001 — Page 501

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

Sports and Recreational Venues

Hong Kong Stadium

This is Hong Kong's largest sports venue with 40 000 seats. The stadium is used mainly for football and international rugby matches, although large-scale religious gatherings and fund-raising events for charity are also held. In total, 330 000 spectators attended 27 events at the venue in 2001.

Other Sports and Recreational Venues

The LCSD manages 82 indoor games halls and recreation centres, 36 swimming pool complexes, 265 tennis courts, 324 squash courts, 24 sports grounds, four holiday camps, four water sports centres, five golf driving ranges and two public riding schools.

Five new recreation and sport venues were completed in 2001: Quarry Bay Park Phase II (Stage 1), Ping Shek Playground, Redevelopment of Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Tseung Kwan O Indoor Recreation Centre and Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool. Work was in progress on 11 other projects,

11 other projects, including the Improvement to Aberdeen Sports Ground, the Improvement to Victoria Park, Siu Sai Wan Promenade, Ap Lei Chau Park (Phase II), Jordan Valley Playground (Phase II, Stage 2), Tai Kok Tsui Complex, Luen Wo Hui Complex, Tai Po Complex, Indoor Recreation Centre cum Library in Area 100 Ma On Shan, Local Open Space in Area 44 Tuen Mun, and Improvement Works to the Lady Maclehose Holiday Village and the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre.

Beaches and Swimming Pools

Swimming is one of Hong Kong's most popular summer pastimes. In 2001, people made 10.5 million visits to the beaches, and there were 9.6 million visits to the public swimming pools managed by the LCSD. The HKSAR has 36 gazetted bathing beaches open for public use 11 on Hong Kong Island and 25 in the New Territories and outlying islands. The LCSD manages 36 public swimming pool complexes in the urban areas and the New Territories.

With a view to enhancing the safety of children when using public swimming pools, the department has introduced a rule that prohibits children under the age of 12 and unaccompanied by adults from using public swimming pools. In June, the use of 'Octopus' cards for admission at 35 public swimming pools was implemented for the convenience of the public.

The LCSD continued to encourage the formation of lifeguard clubs at its swimming venues. These clubs provide volunteer lifeguards to augment regular lifeguard services. By the end of the year, 24 lifeguard clubs were in operation throughout Hong Kong. As sharks are occasionally sighted in Hong Kong waters, shark prevention nets have been installed since 1996 for the safety of swimmers at 32 of the more popular and accessible beaches.

Free Use Scheme

The 'Free Use Scheme' for certain LCSD facilities has been fully implemented in the urban areas and the New Territories since September 2000. Facilities available for use free of charge at certain designated times include the main arena and activities rooms

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