Po Wing Road Sports Centre boosts innovative facilities in North District (with photos)
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     The Po Wing Road Sports Centre was officially opened today (June 29), providing residents in North District with the newest and most innovative facilities in the district.

     Located at 19 Pak Wo Road, Sheung Shui, the Po Wing Road Sports Centre features the district's first outdoor sport climbing wall, as well as the only indoor jogging track in the district.

     Addressing the opening ceremony today, the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Mr Bobby Cheng, said, "The Po Wing Road Sports Centre is one of the department's major projects in promoting leisure and sports development.

     "With the opening of the sports centre for public use since March this year, the standard of the sports facilities in North District has been further enhanced. It is conducive to the promotion of 'Sport for All' in the community."

     Also officiating at the ceremony were the Chairman of the North District Council, Mr So Sai-chi; the District Officer (North), Mr Donald Chen; the Vice Chairman of the North District Council, Mr Hau Kam-lam; and the Chairman of the District Facilities Management Committee of the North District Council cum Chairman of the Working Group on Po Wing Road Sports Centre Opening Ceremony, Mr Larm Wai-leung.
 
     The Po Wing Road Sports Centre provides a wide array of recreation and sports facilities. It features an outdoor sport climbing wall, which is the first of its kind in the district. With three climbing lanes, the 11-metre-tall climbing wall can thrill sport climbing enthusiasts and has become a popular training ground for athletes.

     The sports centre also features the only indoor jogging track in the district. Members of the public can enjoy the fun of jogging on the 160m-long jogging track in all weather.
  
     Other facilities in the sports centre include a table-tennis room; an American pool room; a fitness room; a children's play room; two activity rooms; and a multi-purpose arena, which can be converted into two basketball courts or volleyball courts, or eight badminton courts. The arena comprises a 1,200-seat spectator stand and is suitable for holding large-scale sports events.

     The Po Wing Road Sports Centre is characteristically designed, blending energy conservation principles into its building concepts. The energy conservation facilities include the installation of a glass roof to allow natural lighting, the use of a solar heating system for hot water, and the installation of a rainwater collection system in the sports centre for irrigation.

     All facilities in the sports centre were built in compliance with the guidelines on barrier-free access to enable people with disabilities to use the facilities and to enhance the integration of all users.

     The opening hours of the sports centre are from 7am to 11pm daily. On the second and fourth Mondays of the month, the sports centre will be closed from 7am to 1pm for maintenance.

     The Po Wing Road Sports Centre is close to residential areas and is easily accessible by public transport. Members of the public can reach the sports centre by taking bus routes 76K, 78K, 70K, 273A, 273B, 273D and 70X; and by public light bus route 502. They can also take the MTR and get off at Sheung Shui Station.

     For enquiries and details of the facilities of the Po Wing Road Sports Centre, please call the venue at 2639 2979.

Ends/Friday, June 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:02

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