Harbour watchdog backs yacht club's proposal for racing facilities
Harbourfront Commission supports plan for facilities to host international races and provide a permanent home for the Maritime Museum
A harbour watchdog has backed a proposal to make room on the harbourfront for an international yacht race village and a permanent site for the Maritime Museum in Causeway Bay.
The Harbourfront Commission hopes the government will factor in such facilities in its work on the Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link before it is too late.
The proposal, put forward by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club this month, is expected to attract international yacht races like Volvo Ocean Race and America's Cup World Series at the former public cargo handling area next to the club. It involves a hectare of land and a water area of about two hectares.
The water area, with additional breakwaters, would feature international boat shows and provide a floating stage for cultural performances, while the land would be used for small-scale shopping and dining facilities, a permanent site for the Maritime Museum and a possible stop for water taxis.
The museum has moved from Stanley and will reopen at Pier 8 in Central in January.
Although the proposal was well-received by the commission, it presents two challenges: it involves a reclamation for a permanent breakwater of about 470 square metres, and the ideas were only proposed after tunnel construction works in the area were tendered.