Hong Kong Starts Work On HK$30bn Stadium Project

The official groundbreaking ceremony for a HK$30 billion mega sports park in Kai Tak was held on Tuesday with top officials, including Chief Executive Carrie Lam, participating.

The complex at the 28-hectare site will include a main stadium that can accommodate 50,000 spectators, a retractable roof, and a pitch that can host football and rugby matches. The venue will also be able to stage major events like concerts.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Chief Executive expressed the hope that the sports park will be completed on time as scheduled in 2023, and that it will stay within budget.

Lam said that at the moment, the city has to rely on venues like the Hong Kong Stadium to hold large-scale events. The completion of the Kai Tak project will help the SAR host more major international events, she said.

Meanwhile in a paper submitted to Legco, the government said the contractor for the project will face a daily fine of HK$4.3 million if there is any delay and there are other punishments too. The project has been given 54 months to complete the project from February 1 this year, making the completion date 2023 August, if there is no extension.

The Kai Tak Sports Park project was awarded to a consortium formed by New World Development and NWS Holdings that will design, build and operate the venue for about 20 years.

The government will fund the construction cost of almost HK$30 billion, while the consortium, Kai Tak Sports Park Limited, will be required to cover all operating costs and pay the government 3 percent of the gross income plus HK$1.7 billion during the operation period.

Apart from the main stadium, the plan also includes a separate 5,000-seat ground suitable for hosting school events and local football league games. The public will be able to jog and exercise at the venue free of charge.

There are also plans for a health and wellness centre, a bowling alley, retail, food and beverage outlets and about 850 parking spaces.