Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park is reported to be on course to open in March next year, with SAR Chief Executive John Lee advising on Sunday that preparations are underway for a grand opening ceremony for the precinct.
With the 50,000-seat stadium that anchors the complex having achieved technical compliance status from the Hong Kong Government, Lee wrote on his social media page that he and a number of his top officials had recently inspected the precinct.
Noting that the main structure of the public sports ground, indoor sports centre and main stadium are almost complete, while the interior decoration and landscaping construction are still in progress, Lee wrote “during the inspection, I asked the working group to ensure that the Kai Tak Sports Park is successfully completed and opened as scheduled to consolidate Hong Kong’s strategic positioning as a city of major events. At the same time, I reminded staff to pay attention to implementation details, strengthen adaptability and ensure smooth operations after the park is completed."
Also on social media, Hong Kong Sports Minister Kevin Yeung announced that the stadium has recently achieved technical compliance status following a series of rigorous tests.
All three of the complex’s major event venues - Kai Tak Stadium, the 10,000-seat Kai Tak Arena and the 5,000-capacity Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground - have now met all the required standards and regulatory requirements and are nearing completion.
Main structure and facility work will be completed by the end of the year, after which point the complex will be ready to start hosting events.
A (Northern Hemisphere) winter testing period had been scheduled to include rugby and football matches at the main stadium, as well as local sports events at the arena. Events already scheduled in at the stadium include a Coldplay concert, the Hong Kong Sevens tournament and the National Games of China.
Last month, it was announced that Kai Tak Mall, which is part of the wider complex, would house an indoor amusement park operated by CA Sega Joypolis. The park will span five storeys and will feature three key themed zones, one of which will centre on Sonic the Hedgehog.
Kai Tak Sports Park has been designed by Populous and its lead operator is ASM Global.
Image: Populous' concept for the completed Kai Tak Sports Park.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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