Kai Tak Sports Park: Hong Kong’s Sporting Revolution Commences
By Ronit Sahijawani
While Hong Kong’s technology, entertainment, and business industries continue to enhance daily, it’s important to recognize other opportunities which could benefit the future generations. Introducing the Kai Tak Sports Park, an explicit initiative that has been running for over 10 years (construction started a couple of years ago). It is expected to be completed sometime next year, but what is this park and what makes it significant?
Unlike the average, basic, public country parks with a few rusty playgrounds, the Kai Tak Sports Initiative is looking to create a sport and entertainment based community for both citizens, and tourists. The extensive plan has considered all aspects, whether it is convenience, accessibility, or global competitions - the area will cover everything.
In terms of facilities, the Sports Avenue runs across the entire precinct from North to South, offering connections from the adjacent Station Square the Kai Tak and Sung Wong Toi MTR Stations, and through to the harbourfront promenade. Located in the heartbeat of the precinct, the Main Plaza can be used for community recreation activities or events. The canopy over the Main Plaza is designed to provide abundant shade for visitors during event and crowd dispersal, and underneath the Main Plaza, a sub-podium passageway will offer an additional visitor dispersal route during events. The Neighbourhood Park at the northeastern corner of the precinct will be equipped with courts for ball games as well as a cycling track, a jogging trail, a children’s playground and a lawn for recreation. In addition to restaurants and dining areas by the Victoria Harbour, retail shops, and a health and wellness, education-based center, there will be an international-standard bowling center with 40 lanes suitable for hosting international tournaments.
Looking at the active sport locations, the vast Indoor Sports Complex offers a range of multi-use courts, which can be used for public citizens, district leagues, and international competitions. In fact, the main stadium will be the offical hosting haul for Hong Kong biggest competitions, including Football 7s and Rugby 7s. Moreover, the stadium's capacity surpasses that of multiple Premier League teams in the UK; the stadium can hold up to a total of nearly 50,000 people. A high end hotel will also be built nearby, along with 2 plaza shopping malls, maximizing the convenience for sustainable tourism. It is still extremely convenient, nonetheless.
Kai Tak Station and Sung Wong Toi Station are within 10 minutes’ walk; with Station Square connecting these stations to Kai Tak Sports Park. Pedestrian walkways will connect the Kai Tak Sports Park to new developments in To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Kok, Kowloon City and Kai Tak districts. Kai Tak Sports Park is located near two public transport interchanges, one of which is one of the largest KMB bus terminals. Kai Tak Sports Park is located near Kowloon City Ferry Pier; meaning you can walk directly after hopping off the ferry. The precinct provides ample public parking spaces, however they are extremely limited in comparison to the stadium size, catering for less than 700 cars.
All in all, the whole initiative has been brilliantly planned and cleverly located. Make sure you’re ready for next year's Rugby 7s, which can hopefully take place at the spotless stadium!