The department attaches great importance to the provision of leisure and cultural facilities for the public. The Planning Section of the department maintains close liaison with various District Councils to gauge the public's views on the demand and priority of leisure and cultural facilities in the local community. Since the establishment of the department in 2000, a total of 58 projects valued at $9.6 billion have been completed. Furthermore, priority treatment of 25 ex-Municipal Council projects was announced in the Chief Executive's Policy Address in 2005, with funding earmarked.

The department made significant progress in 2005 in providing new facilities and implementing new projects:

New Facilities Completed

Eight facilities were completed, including two major projects — the Kowloon Bay Recreation Ground and the Tai Kok Tsui Municipal Services Building (Phase 2). The latter facility, comprising a training pool, a leisure pool, a multi-purpose sports arena, activities rooms and a library, has been well-received by the public. A list of the completed projects is in Appendix 6.

	The leisure pool in the Tai Kok Tsui Municipal Services Building has a tropical setting.

Facilities under Construction

At the year end, construction of nine capital works projects was in progress, including five major facilities: the Stanley Municipal Services Building, which comprises a community hall, a sports centre and a library; the Hammer Hill Road Park, Diamond Hill, a unique Chinese garden that will be characterised by Tang Dynasty style landscaping and architectural features; the Indoor Recreation Centre in Tin Shui Wai, which will be equipped with various sports facilities; the Hin Tin Swimming Pool — Phase 2 in Shatin, which will contain an indoor heated pool and a Jacuzzi; and the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum, with architecture modified from the Kom Tong Hall in Central in memorial of one of the most distinguished figures in modern China. A complete list of the nine projects is included in Appendix 5.

	The Stanley Municipal Services Building, comprising a community hall, a sports centre and a library, provides an alternative recreation site for Southern District residents.

Minor Works

Some eight minor works projects, each costing less than $15 million, were completed during the year, and 16 more were under construction.