Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Hong Kong leisure projects hit by building delays

Hong Kong leisure projects hit by building delays
August 20, 2018

Major leisure infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, including the West Kowloon Cultural District and Ocean Park’s new hotel and waterpark - are experiencing significant overruns as a result of construction delays and contractural issues.

At the end of last week, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) fired its main contractor following a protracted financial settlement controversy, raising uncertainty over further delays and cost overruns at the multibillion-dollar arts hub.

On Friday the WKCDA said it had terminated the HK$5.9 billion (US$750 million) contract for the M+ visual culture museum, the centrepiece of the arts precinct, with Hsin Chong Construction due to the company’s insolvency.

The Authority said poor management at the firm had led to “significant delays”on site.

The WKCDA advised that an urgent tendering exercise is underway for a new contractor, and is expected to take six to eight weeks.

At Hong Kong theme park Ocean Park, a new hotel, expected to be opened at the end of last year, and then as of June, is now planned to be open in October.

Delays at the popular theme park have also seen its planned HK$2.9 billion (US$360 million) waterpark also originally scheldued to open in 2017 now unlikely to be completed before the end of next year.

Known as Tai Shue Wan Water World, the project was expected to attract 1.5 million visitors in its first year of operation and contribute HK$842 million (US$107 million) to the local economy in 2018, according to Hong Kong Government submissions to the Legislative Council in 2013.

But Ocean Park has not decided on the launch date, saying it depended on marketing and preparatory arrangements.

Facing rising competition from Hong Kong Disneyland’s ongoing HK$10.9 billion (     expansion as well as new tourist attractions in the region, loss-making Ocean Park pinned its hopes for fresh growth on the all-weather water park and two high-end hotels, the other being a Fullerton Hotel due for completion in 2021.

The plan is to transform the 41-year-old theme park into an international resort destination.

Image: Artist's concept for the West Kowloon Cultural District (top) and no launch date has been decided for Ocean Park's Tai Shue Wan Water World (below).

Related Articles

28th May 2018 - New centre for Heritage and the Arts opened in Hong Kong

18th May 2018 - Historic levels of growth in global theme park industry in 2017

1st March 2018 - Hong Kong’s Ocean Park to get HK$310 million Government bail out

20th February 2018 - Attendances rise but losses double at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2017

17th October 2016 - M+ Pavilion opening marks the first permanent art venue in the West Kowloon Cultural District

24th September 2016 - Ocean Park Chief Executive confident of attracting more visitors

7th November 2015 - Ocean Park waterpark to make a splash in 2018

26th November 2014 - Construction advances on West Kowloon Cultural District venues

4th July 2014 - Hong Kong needs new attractions and venues

11th June 2013 - Museums drive economic and cultural transformation

30th July 2012 - Architects shortlisted for West Kowloon Cultural District arts venue


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

SENtag

Developed in Europe, this innovative system offers a safety management solution for swimming pools that checks individual swimmers via their wristband - monitoring their depth and time. Sensors…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 

PerfectGym

Perfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…

read more

Access / Fitness / Marketing / Recreation / Technology

 
 
 

TJS Services

TJS Services is a leading national facility services provider. We deliver quality cleaning, maintenance, construction and facility management services to over 1,500 sites Australia wide.  Our…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Venues

 
 

24/7 Software

The world's greatest properties run on 24/7 Software Whether at commercial properties, corporate facilities, sports arenas, or public entertainment venues, we're proud to lead the way in…

read more

Entertainment / Security / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

Goplay Commercial Playground Equipment

Goplay designs and manufactures specialised playground equipment for indoor play centres, hotels, food chains, clubs and resorts. If our years of experience and dedication have taught us one thing,…

read more

Play

 
 

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business