ENG-2006 — Page 479

Recreation, Sport and the Arts | 403

July 2005 and June 2006 respectively. A Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games Gallery and a website were also set up to display exhibits to promote the EAG and to disseminate information on the work being done for the event. A competition was also held to come up with a thematic design for the EAG venues. The Hong Kong Institute of Architects lent a hand in organising the contest. The winning design, announced in November, captures clearly the EAG spirit and reflects at the same time Hong Kong's unique characteristics.

The 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited, the executive arm of the 5th EAG Planning Committee, started work in August to prepare for the staging of the

event.

2006 Bun Carnival

The popular Bun Carnival which was revived in 2005, was again held in 2006 in response to public demand. New competitions, such as 'Climbing Play-in' and an invitation relay, were added to the 2006 programme and were well received. The carnival went on for more than two weeks from April 22 to May 6. More than 6 000 people took part in the competitions and other activities which were watched by tens of thousands of local and overseas visitors. The event, particularly the Bun Scrambling Competition, was given extensive coverage by both the local and international news media.

Sports and Recreational Venues

Hong Kong Stadium

The Hong Kong Stadium is Hong Kong's largest sports venue with seating for 40 000 people. It is used mainly for football and international rugby matches, and large-scale religious gatherings and variety shows. More than 344 000 people attended 37 events at the venue in 2006.

Water Sports and Holiday Camps

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The LCSD manages five water sports centers Chong Hing, Tai Mei Tuk, The Jockey Club Wong Shek, St Stephen's Beach and Stanley Main Beach and four holiday camps the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre, and Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village. During the year, 108 000 people participated in water sports events held at the water sports centres and 496 000 people stayed at the holiday camps.

Other Sports and Recreational Venues

The LCSD manages 87 sports centres, 37 swimming pool complexes, 271 tennis courts, 312 squash courts, 24 sports grounds, four golf driving ranges and two public riding schools.

Three new recreation and sports projects were completed in 2006. They are the Stanley Municipal Services Building, Nan Lian Garden at Diamond Hill and a 7-a-side football pitch in Area 107, Tin Shui Wai.