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The three-month "Free Admission Scheme of LCSD Leisure Facilities" was well received on the first day of launching yesterday (July 1) and users enjoyed the free-of-charge services provided by Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).
A spokesman for the department said that close to 95,000 admission was recorded for the 36 swimming pools opened for individuals to use free of charge yesterday. The usage was higher than normal days, and it was about 40% higher than that of July 1, 2007 when the swimming pools were also opened to the public free of charge in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR. Fifteen swimming pools had once reached their maximum capacity and admission flow control was implemented.
"Thanks to the cooperation of the public, order at the swimming pool complexes was good yesterday. For pools reaching their maximum capacity, people in the queues were admitted for the same session after the departure of some swimmers later on during the session," the spokesman said.
Other land-based venues and water sports centres under the Free Admission Scheme were also popular among the public. Over 80% of the facilities available under the Scheme had been booked in advance, and 80% of them were taken up.
About 75% of the hirers took up their booked facilities yesterday. If a hirer fails to show up 10 minutes after the session has begun, the facility will be allocated to walk-in users. The overall usage rate of the booked sessions, including the usage by both hirers and walk-in users, was about 82% yesterday.
The spokesman reminded hirers to bring along their identification documents for verification because staff would only allow hirers to take up the facilities. The Department will strictly uphold the measure to avoid abuse of the Scheme.
The "Free Admission Scheme of LCSD Leisure Facilities" will continue until September 30. Under the Scheme, the LCSD opens various fee-charging leisure facilities under its management for individuals to use free of charge. The facilities are: indoor leisure facilities (such as badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, sport climbing walls, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms, activity rooms and dance rooms), outdoor leisure facilities (such as tennis courts, bowling greens, batting cages, rope courses, sport climbing walls, archery ranges and golf facilities), public swimming pools (except Wan Chai Swimming Pool which is used for group training), water sports centres and holiday camps.
Members of the public may visit any leisure venue or District Leisure Services Office with a Leisure Link Booking Office, use the Leisure Link Self-service Kiosk or the Leisure Link Website (http://leisurelink.lcsd.gov.hk), or call the Telephone Services Centre at 2927 8080 to make booking of leisure facilities which have not been block booked by organisations up to 30 days in advance on a first-come-first-served basis. Each person may book a maximum of two sessions of the leisure facilities, irrespective of the type, free of charge each day during the period.
No advance booking is required for free admission to public swimming pools. Members of the public only need to queue up at the entrances of the swimming pools for admission on a first-come-first-served basis. Those intending to use the coin-return lockers should bring five-dollar coins which they can get back after using the lockers. Children under 12 should be accompanied by adults when using the swimming pool facilities.
For details of the Scheme, please contact the relevant leisure venues or visit LCSD's website at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk or call 2414 5555.
Ends/Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:44
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