The Government of Hong Kong has announced that a 25-year contract for the design, construction and operation of the Kai Tak Sports Park has been awarded to the Kai Tak Sports Park Ltd.
Kai Tak Sports Park Ltd is a subsidiary of New World Development Company and NWS Holdings Limited, the conglomerate flagship of New World Development, established specifically for the project. Team members include Populous, SMG and Lagardère Sports, offering extensive experience in the design and operation of large scale international projects as well as the management of major sports venues.
Occupying 28 hectares of land, the Kai Tak Sports Park will be the biggest sports venue in Hong Kong upon completion.
The focal point of the Sports Park is the 50,000-seat Main Stadium, with "Pearl of the Orient" as its façade design theme. The stadium is designed to host major football and rugby games, though will be installed with separation drapes, stage setting and various equipment to support entertainment and community events of a different nature and scale.
The Sports Park will also include an Indoor Sports Centre, a large multipurpose space with 10,000 seats, suitable for hosting major competitions, and a 5,000-seat Public Sports Ground, which will host school athletics meetings, athletics training and local football league games. The Centre will also provide indoor sports courts for everyday community use, while the Sports Ground will be open to the public free of charge for exercise.
The design of the Sports Park also provides large open space for public enjoyment, with facilities such as outdoor ball courts, open lawn areas, children's play areas, fitness stations and more. Other facilities to be developed inct include a health and wellness centre, a bowling centre, retail, food and beverage outlets and about 850 parking spaces.
A covered avenue running north-south will connect all the key facilities of the Sports Park with the adjacent Station Square, Kai Tak MTR Station and Sung Wong Toi MTR Station, leading to the harbourfront promenade.
The design and construction of the project is anticipated to take four to five years. The Hong Kong government will fund the construction cost, estimated to be just under HKD30 billion (US$3.8 billion), while Kai Tak Sports Park Ltd is required to cover all operating costs and pay the government 3% of the gross income plus HKD1.724 billion (US$220 million) during the operation period.
The construction works will commence in the first quarter of 2019 and are scheduled for completion in 2023.