The Yuen Long Leisure and Cultural Building was officially opened today (November 20). The public library and sports centre inside provide residents in the district with quality facilities for reading, sports and leisure activities.
 
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said the new building helps meet pressing local demand arising from the growing population in Yuen Long. It also demonstrates the Government's commitment to build a better quality living environment for the residents.
 
     Mr Cheung attributed the successful completion of Yuen Long Public Library and Yuen Long Sports Centre to the concerted efforts of the Yuen Long District Council (YLDC), local organisations and government departments. He expressed gratitude to the YLDC for its valuable comments and staunch support during the development of the project.
 
     Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Leung Koon-kee; the Chairman of the YLDC, Mr Shum Ho-kit; the Chairman of the YLDC's District Facilities Management Committee, Mr Lee Yuet-man; and the District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Edward Mak.

     Located on the ground and first floors of the building, Yuen Long Public Library has a floor area of about 2 900 square metres. Facilities and services include an adult library, a children's library, a multimedia library, a newspapers and periodicals section, a computer and information centre, an extension activities room, a students' study room and Internet and digital service workstations.
 
     The library has a collection of about 140 000 items and provides more than 150 local and overseas newspapers and periodical titles. Various extension activities are organised on a regular basis to promote reading among the public, such as book displays, storytelling for children, subject talks and reading activities for children and youth. Schools and members of cultural and educational organisations are welcome to contact the library for group visits to learn more about its facilities and services.
 
     Yuen Long Sports Centre is situated on the third and fourth floors of the building. With a total area of 7 600 sq m, it provides a multi-purpose arena which can be used as basketball courts, volleyball courts or badminton courts; two multi-purpose activity rooms; a fitness room; a children's playroom; and a table-tennis room. A variety of activities will be held at the sports centre each month for public participation, including training courses for aerobic dance, badminton and multi-gym fitness activities, as well as activities for the elderly. Members of the public are invited to take part.
 
     Yuen Long Public Library is open from noon to 8pm on Mondays, from 9am to 8pm from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and from 9am to 5pm on Sundays and public holidays. Yuen Long Sports Centre is open from 7am to 11pm daily, except for every second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 7am to 1pm when it is closed for regular maintenance.
 
     For enquiries, please contact the venue staff of the library (Tel: 2479 2511) and the sports centre (Tel: 2891 9207).

Ends/Monday, November 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:10

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