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SCMP Reporter

Canada's hit alternative circus, Cirque du Soleil, has been banned from returning to Victoria Park.

 Provisional urban councillors vetoed plans for the troupe to perform in January 1999 amid concerns its tent would ruin the park's central lawn.

 The site has been off limits to events since October after Family Entertainment on Ice was cancelled in August when rain burst its big top.

 The turf took months to recover, councillors said.

 The circus is the latest in a series of global acts to have problems in finding a venue, despite Hong Kong Tourist Association plans to make the SAR the 'events capital of Asia'.

 When Cirque du Soleil's Alegria played for two months in 1996 about 160,000 people attended.

 Yesterday, the circus' spokesman said all that was needed for the new show, Saltimbanco, was a good site.

 Swire Properties director and general manager Stephan Spurr, who approached the council on the circus' behalf, said it was likely the circus would not return to the SAR as Victoria Park was the only site suitable for such a long run.

 Provisional Urban Councillor Ada Wong Ying-kay said it was important the largest green area in urban Hong Kong was kept clear for the public. She suggested Kai Tak - closed as an airport by then - or the former military pitch in So Kon Po as venues.



Circus barred from park