Charismatic Kai Tak Sports Park Winter prelude

Article posted by Coliseum, April 24^th, 2024

Image: ASM Global

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the leading venue management company ASM Global and the Kai Tak Sports Park Limited (KTSPL) – which is a subsidiary of the New World Development – as part of a multiyear strategy have announced a late Winter testing period for the Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon, Hong Kong – marking the culmination of a near decade-long record $4 billion project creating the premier sports, recreation, entertainment complex on Earth.

‘ASM Global’ stated that ASM Global, as the lead operator, has been on the ground in Hong Kong working for over five years supporting the design, programing and construction of the Kai Tak Sports Park, featuring many of the world’s most advanced state-of-the-art venues, and is now prepping for pre-opening activities in advance of 2025’s formal unveiling.

Los Angeles (US)-based ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management company and producer of live event experiences. With over 350+ premier venues spanning worldwide, they operate and invest in the world’s most important stadiums, arenas, convention centers and theaters, including entertainment districts and mixed-use developments.

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Kai Tak (Hong Kong)-based the Kai Tak Sports Park Limited (KTSPL) has been awarded the contract for the design, build, construction, and operation of the Kai Tak Sports Park. The KTSPL is a subsidiary of the New World Development Company Limited and the NWS Holdings Limited established specifically for the project.

The 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Sports Park is a multipurpose sports venue that is being built at the site of the former Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The sports park will be located on the North Western part of the old Kai Tak Airport, where some of the parking stands used to be. When it opens, the Kai Tak Sports Park will become the largest sports venue in Hong Kong and will provide high quality sports facilities to support the future sports development of Hong Kong. It’s expected to be completed in phases by the end of 2024 and open in 2025.

James Irvine, Director, Commercial, Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong, is a Member of Coliseum Global Sports Venue Alliance.

Hong Kong-based the New World Development Company Limited is a Hong Kong-based company focused on property, hotels, infrastructure and services, and department stores. It was established on May 29^th, 1970 by Cheng Yu-tung.

The NWS Holdings Limited is a Hong Kong-based investment holding company with a diversified portfolio of businesses. The company operates in three main divisions: Service, Infrastructure and Ports.

‘ASM Global’ further stated that the project will include a 50,000- capacity main stadium with the theme ‘Pearl of the Orient’ as its design inspiration and boasting a retractable roof and a flexible pitch surface that can host a wide range of events in any weather, including major sports events, concerts and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) events, a 10,000-capacity indoor sports arena that meets the standard of major international tournaments for a wide range of athletics, including basketball, tennis, gymnastics, family shows and other entertainment events, a 5,000-spectator, open-to-the-public sports ground for hosting school sports days, athletic meets, local football and rugby matches, as well as team and athlete training sessions and an outdoor recreation complex.

Remarked Ron Bension, ASM Global’s President and head honcho, “ASM Global develops and builds spectacular venues and extraordinary entertainment districts throughout the world, but nothing compares to the scale, scope and state-of-the art innovation of Kai Tak.”

The Hong Kong site is part of ASM Global’s network of more than 400 venues around the world. The company works with major cultural and entertainment districts and venues and projects throughout the world, including the Darling Harbour (tourist attraction) in Sydney, Australia, the 12,500-capacity OVO Arena Wembley in London (UK), the 21,000-capacity AO Arena in Manchester (UK), and the 19,000-capacity Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona (US).

Officials said the expansive development will set the benchmark for multipurpose sports precincts worldwide, integrating the most advanced sports facilities with retail, wellness and community leisure spaces to create an urban oasis for the 7.4 million local community and millions of overseas visitors.

The KTSPL, when awarded the contract for the design, build, construction, and operation of the Kai Tak Sports Park, subsequently assembled an unparalleled project team comprising overseas and local experts in design, retail sales and marketing, construction led by Hip Hing, and the ASM Global for project management, premium sales and programing.

Since being established in 1961, Kowloon (Hong Kong)-based the Hip Hing Construction Company Limited (‘Hip Hing’) has grown to become one of the leading contractors in Hong Kong. During this time the company has been trusted by its clients to construct many of the landmark buildings which define Hong Kong. The construction services provided by the Hip Hing Construction Group have contributed to the development of Hong Kong and its economy and have helped to shape a better living environment for the people of Hong Kong.

The precinct is designed around the one-of-a-kind Kai Tak Sports Avenue. This indoor and outdoor pedestrian walk starts at the Station Square and transports people completely through the immense site.

Throughout the complex will be restaurants, retail shops, jogging trails, a health and wellness center, as well as an international-standard bowling center with 40 lanes suitable for hosting international tournaments and a climbing wall on the Sports Avenue.

ASM Global and KTSPL’s state-of-the-art environmentally conscious design decisions are critical to the project, intended to set and meet measurable goals to reduce impacts on the planet and champion dynamic programs for the longevity and well-being of the local community.

The focus of these sustainability efforts includes integration of photovoltaic panels on all the major facilities, extensive Green roofscapes and an expansive network of electric charging stations across the precinct. The Smart City initiatives include an intelligent building and car management system, Wi-Fi hotspots, an indoor positioning system, and mobile applications to facilitate precinct information booking of facilities and wayfinding.

The Kai Tak Sports Park is expected to formally open in early 2025 and is one of the sports venues that will deliver events for the 2025 15th National Games of China that is being hosted in the Greater Bay Area.

China’s 15th National Games will be held from November 9^th-21^st, 2025 in Guangdong (China), Hong Kong and Macao (both special administrative regions of China).

The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a Chinese Government project that connects 11 Cities in the South of China into a single economic and business hub. The GBA includes the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

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