Souvenirs to promote new airport
FANCY your own slice of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok? Then slivers of rock from the airport site could soon be yours, together with Tsing Ma bridge T-shirts, Western Harbour Crossing mugs and Kowloon reclamation key-rings.
These are just a few of the items expected to be sold at an exhibition centre set up to promote the 10 airport related projects.
The New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office (NAPCO) is still considering what type of facilities should be provided to satisfy the growing tourist interest in the world's biggest construction scheme.
But it is expected to be much more than just a viewing platform overlooking the construction of the Tsing Ma suspension bridge in Tsing Yi.
Instead it is likely to be a complex with restaurants, bars, shops, working models, souvenir shops, viewing areas and educational facilities to handle school visits.
Secretary for Works, James Blake, is already backing plans for a comprehensive facility.
Two sites, one on Castle Peak Road, the other in the Tsing Ma bridge construction area, have been identified as possible locations. But no firm decision has been taken on either.
NAPCO has had talks with the Hong Kong Tourist Association to consider what should be provided.
The association is already promoting boat tours of the reclamation and bridge sites. It is keen to develop this tourist potential even further.
Clinton Leeks, NAPCO's former deputy director, has visited the Eurotunnel Channel Tunnel centre in Folkestone, England, to gather ideas.
He is one of the people instrumental in promoting an airport centre.
An exhibition centre could also help offset the enormous cost of the airport projects.
The one run by Eurotunnel rakes in about $12 million a year, while another in Denmark promoting a bridge and tunnel project provides about $1 million, just enough to cover its operating costs.
''We actually make a small profit, with merchandise [clothing, videos, books and trinkets] providing most of the money,'' said Lord Barclay, Eurotunnel's media relations manager.
About 300,000 people a year, including 30,000 from abroad, pay a modest $20-30 entrance fee to see working models and touch the massive tunnelling equipment.
The centre also includes a cafe and lecture halls for educational visits.
In Denmark about 600,000 people have visited two centres set up by the Danish Government for the Storebaelt bridge and tunnel scheme.
''School visits are the most profitable,'' said Jacob Vestergaard, the Storebaelt press director.
Both Lord Barclay and Mr Vestergaard said NAPCO should build a centre as soon as and as close to the site as possible.
''The Eurotunnel centre has been a real bonus,'' Lord Barclay said.
''People love watching things being built which they can see developing before their eyes.
''Those who live close to the site take a pride in what is going on because they feel a kind of ownership.''
