Work Improvement Teams

Up to December 2003, 261 Work Improvement Teams (WITs) were set up in district leisure venues to implement self-initiated and departmental improvement measures.

In view of their success, the department will continue to support these teams at all major leisure venues including sports centres, swimming pool complexes, beaches, parks and playgrounds.

Leisure facilities are constantly upgraded through self-initiated or departmental measures to ensure that quality services are provided to the public.

Conversion of Under-Utilised Facilities for Other Uses

To improve the use of recreational and sports facilities, five under-utilised tennis courts were converted to basketball courts and tai chi gardens. The department plans to convert 75 squash courts into multi-purpose rooms for other popular activities such as table-tennis, dance, judo, archery and shooting; and will continue to explore the flexible conversion of under-utilised sports venues into training facilities for National Sports Associations (NSAs).

Facilities for NSAs

The department provided 34 NSAs with National Squad Training Centres, which can be fully utilised for the training of these athletes. The arrangement encourages the associations to use LCSD facilities and to make available more training opportunities for the national squads and athletes.

Free-Use Scheme

The free-use scheme aims to maximise the use of recreational facilities by allowing eligible organisations access to the main arena and activity rooms of all sports centres, squash courts, hockey pitches, outdoor bowling greens and obstacle golf courses free of charge during non-peak hours. Eligible organisations include schools, NSAs, district sports associations and subvented non-governmental organisations.

LCSD Leisure Link

The computerised Leisure Link booking system was introduced in March 2002 to enable the public to book leisure facilities in Hong Kong through the Internet, by telephone, or by visiting booking counters. A number of improvements were introduced during the year to provide greater convenience to the public when making on-line and telephone bookings. The requirement of prior registration as a patron has been waived and users can simply input their Hong Kong Identity Card number at the time of booking. Additional information on the latest bookings at each facility is now available on the website to make reservations easier.

The public can book leisure facilities through a computerised Leisure Link booking system on the LCSD website.

Open Days of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities

In support of the 'Relaunch Hong Kong Campaign' and to encourage the public to actively participate in sports, the department organised five open days in July. Free access to selected sports facilities, including 83 sports centres, 19 free standing badminton/squash/table tennis centres, the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and 35 swimming pools was offered to the public. The open days were very well received and attracted over one million people to use the facilities.

Swimmers queuing up at the Kowloon Park Swimming Pool on an open day.

One-stop Service at Recreational Venues

A one-stop service has been fully implemented at 144 recreational venues since October 2003 to provide better service to the public. It enables the public to book facilities, register and pay charges for recreation programmes, as well as to obtain professional advice and assistance on facility usage and sports programming all at one venue.

Technical Library on Recreation and Sports

The Technical Library on Recreation and Sports, located on 15/F of the Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, serves as an information centre to keep staff abreast of the latest developments. Other interested parties such as leisure managers, students, teachers and sportsmen are also welcome to use the library. At present, the Technical Library has a collection of some 1,500 books, magazines, periodicals, catalogues, research articles and reports. Suitable reference books will continue to be added to the collection.

Places of Amusement Licenses

Since January 1, 2000, the department has become the licensing authority for billiard establishments, public bowling-alleys and public skating rinks under the Places of Amusement Regulation (subsidiary legislation to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132). In 2003, the department licensed 86 billiard establishments, six public bowling-alleys and four public skating rinks.

Beaches and Swimming Pools

Swimming is one of the most popular summer pastimes in Hong Kong. During the year, almost 20 million visits were made to beaches (10.12 million) and public swimming pools (9.15 million) managed by the department. In promoting water sports safety, the department continued to co-organise a series of campaigns and activities in collaboration with the Hong Kong Life Saving Society in 2003.

The winning poster encapsulates the spirit of the Water Sports Safety Poster Design Competition.

Lifeguards on duty to ensure the safety of swimmers at beaches.