What leisure facilities will be included in the Free Admission Scheme of LCSD Leisure Facilities to be launched from 1 July to 30 September 2008?

A:

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch the Free Admission Scheme of LCSD Leisure Facilities from 1 July to 30 September 2008. Under the Scheme, the following fee-charging leisure facilities which have not been block-booked by organisations during the opening hours of the venues will be open for free use by individual members of the public:

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 (except sports ground, artificial and natural turf pitches)
Such as tennis courts, bowling greens, batting cages, rope courses, sport climbing walls, archery ranges, golf facilities and bathing sheds;

Public swimming pools (except Wan Chai Swimming Pool)

Water sports centres facilities
Crafts and the day and tent camps at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre

Holiday camps facilities
Residential, day and evening camps

How to book the free leisure facilities?

A:

For free admission to public swimming pools, no prior booking is required. Members of the public only need to queue up at the entrance of the swimming pools before the opening hours of a session for admission. Admission is accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the public are advised to bring a $5 coin if they want to use the coin-return lockers.

For free admission to holiday camps and the day and tent camps at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre, individual members of the public should submit the completed booking forms to the respective holiday camps/Chong Hing Water Sports Centre by fax or by post. If the number of applications exceed the quota, allocation of places will be determined by ballot. Confirmation letters will be sent to successful applicants and lists of the successful applicants will be announced on the webpage of the respective holiday camps and Chong Hing Water Sports Centre. For details, please click here.

• Members of the public may go to any leisure venue or District Leisure Services Office (DLSO) with the Leisure Link Booking Office for booking the facilities. A hirer must produce his/her identity document (e.g. identity card) or proof of proficiency (if necessary). A person making a booking on behalf of another person must produce a copy of the document(s) mentioned above of the hirer. In case of a queue, each person may only book up to a maximum of two sessions each time at the booking office;
  
• Members of the public may access the Leisure Link Self-service Kiosk or the Leisure Link Website. The hirer must print the acknowledgement slip as a proof of the booking; or
• Members of the public may call the Telephone Services Centre at 2927 8080. The hirer or his/her representative, bringing with him/her a copy of the hirer's identity document, must confirm the reserved session(s) within three days (inclusive of the day on which the telephone reservation was made) by collecting the permit(s) at any leisure venue or DLSO with the Leisure Link Booking Office. Otherwise, the reserved session(s) will be automatically cancelled and released for booking by others.

Is there any quota per person for booking of leisure facilities free of charge?

A:

To allow more people to enjoy the free leisure facilities, each person can book up to a maximum of two sessions of the facilities (irrespective of the types) for free use per day during the period. Booking of the facilities is half an hour per session for squash courts, one and a half hours per session for rope courses, sport climbing walls and archery ranges at Tuen Mun Recreation and Sports Centre, one day per session for bathing sheds and one hour per session for other facilities.

Can I book the leisure facilities on behalf of a relative or friend?

A:

A hirer may ask his/her relative or friend to book the leisure facilities on his/her behalf. Anyone making a booking on behalf of another person should produce a copy of the hirer's identity document. For booking of crafts at water sports centres and golf practice green, a copy of the proof of proficiency of the hirer should also be produced.

Will the implementation of the free admission scheme affect the booking of fee-charging leisure facilities not included in the scheme?

A:

The booking procedure of all fee-charging or free facilities that are not included in the free admission scheme will not be affected.

Will there be any change in the booking procedure for block-bookings by organisations during the scheme period?

A:

The hire charges and booking procedure for leisure facilities block-booked by organisations will remain unchanged during the scheme period.

Any restrictions on the use of free leisure facilities?

A:

All the leisure facilities should be used for the designated function(s) of the facilities. The hirer must be one of the persons using the facilities. He/she must produce his/her identity document, the valid permit/approval letter and recognized proof of proficiency (if necessary) for verification before using the facilities. In addition, to maximise the use of resources and ensure the safety of users, the hirer must make sure that the following requirements regarding the number of users and/or proficiency specified are fully met when using the following facilities. Otherwise, LCSD reserves the right to re-allocate the booked facilities to walk-in users on the spot.

Can hirers change the time of using the leisure facilities after booking?

A:

Hirers cannot change the time of using the leisure facilities once the booking is confirmed.

Can holders of LCSD Fitness Room Monthly Ticket use the fitness rooms during the period？

A:

Holders of the LCSD Fitness Room Monthly Ticket (Monthly Ticket) with effect from June 2008 can use fitness rooms within the validity period of the ticket as usual. LCSD will temporarily suspend the sale of Monthly Ticket for the Scheme period.

Can walk-in users queue up for the use of free leisure facilities which are left vacant?

A:

To avoid wastage of resources, if hirers fail to take up the booked facility 10 minutes after the starting time of the booked session, the session will be allocated to walk-in users on a first-come-first-served basis. However, the walk-in user should surrender the facility back to the original hirer immediately upon arrival of the original hirer. Registration for use of these vacant facilities will commence after the start of each session.

Any special arrangements for inclement weather?

A:

If Typhoon signal No. 3 or Black Rainstorm Warning is issued, all water sports centres will be closed immediately.

If Typhoon signal No. 3 or the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is issued, Tuen Mun Recreation and Sports Centre and outdoor golf facilities will be closed immediately.

If Typhoon signal No. 8 or above or the Black Rainstorm Warning is issued, all leisure facilities will be closed immediately.

Will weekly cleansing operations be conducted at swimming pool complexes as usual during the period?

A:

To upgrade pool hygiene and cleanliness, the weekly cleansing operations will be conducted at swimming pool complexes as usual. Cleansing operations will be conducted from 10:00 am until the end of the second session. The pools will re-open in the third session on the same day.

When a pool complex reaches its maximum capacity, will there be any special arrangement?

A:

When a pool complex reaches its maximum capacity, admission of the public will be suspended. Swimming pool staff will provide any necessary information and guidance to people queuing on site.

Can a hirer cancel the booking of a facility?

A:

During the implementation of the Free Admission Scheme of LCSD Leisure Facilities, if a hirer wishes to cancel the booking of a facility under the free admission scheme, he/she may return the permit to the LCSD together with either the completed application form for cancellation of booking or a written confirmation to cancel the booking. The LCSD will delete the booking of the facility from the computerised booking system upon receipt of the written notification. The facility will then be released to other members of the public for booking through the existing channels. Application forms for cancellation of booking are available at all booking offices of LCSD venues.