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    Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, in the Legislative Council today (April 6):

Question:

    Of the fitness facilities provided in open areas such as gardens and playgrounds managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department ("LCSD"), only a few are suitable for the elderly.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether LCSD has formulated policies on the provision of fitness facilities for the elderly in venues under its charge; if so, of the specific details of the policies, including the criteria adopted for determining the provision of such facilities; and

(b) as many elderly in West Kowloon have expressed to me their hope that more of such fitness facilities will be provided in the gardens and playgrounds of the district, whether LCSD has drawn up plans in this regard; if so, of the details of such plans, including the implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

    The Administration's response to the two parts of the question are as follows:

(a) The Administration is committed to promoting the health of our elderly population and encourages them to participate in the sports activities that are good to their healthy living.  In this connection, the Administration has installed fitness equipment for elderly people in some suitable parks, playgrounds and sitting-out areas of various districts so that they can carry out stretching exercises.  So far, we have provided fitness equipment for elderly people in 70 leisure venues in Hong Kong.  Taking into account the configuration of these leisure/recreation venues, age profile of the district population, local demand for such equipment and availability of resources, the Administration would consider the provision of additional fitness equipment for elderly people in other existing or new leisure venues for the use of the elderly.

(b) Fitness equipment for elderly people are installed in major leisure venues in West Kowloon districts.  These venues include Lai Chi Kok Park, Shek Kip Mei Park, Fa Hui Park, Tseuk Kiu Street Sitting-out Area, Children's Playground of Cheung Sha Wan Sports Centre, Po On Road Playground, Shek Kip Mei Street Rest Garden, Wai Chi Street Rest Garden, Shun Ning Road Recreation Ground, Sai Yee Street Garden, Kowloon Park and King's Park Rest Garden.  Fitness equipment for elderly people would also be provided in the Cherry Street Park, which is expected to come into service soon.  In addition, the Administration has planned to provide fitness equipment for elderly people in Tai Hang Tung Playground, Tung Chau Street Park and Nam Cheong Park in Sham Shui Po District in this financial year.

Ends/Wednesday, April 6, 2005

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