Kai Tak gets enthusiastic response for a new water sports centre to be built
Support grows for the need of a new facility after a successful trial run by 200 athletes from canoeing, rowing and dragon boating
A new water sports centre in the heart of the city could come into existence as soon as next year after a trial run last weekend by more than 200 paddlers from rowing, canoeing and dragon boat racing, showed the Kai Tak site is ready and capable of being used as a world-class venue.
Asian Games rowing gold and silver medallists Lok Kwan-hoi and Lee Kar-man joined other national team members, community clubs and university teams in canoeing, dragon boating and rowing at the Kai Tak site adjoining the old airport runway for a paddle sport demonstration carried out with the cooperation of a number of government departments and the verdict at the end of day was a resounding 'yes'.
The response from all participants in the demonstration day was universally enthusiastic with a post-event survey showing almost unanimous support for establishing a water sports centre at the site
"The response from all participants in the demonstration day was universally enthusiastic with a post-event survey showing almost unanimous support for establishing a water sports centre at the site," said Mike Tanner, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Water Sports Council (HKWSC).
"Getting boats in the water was the best way to test out the site and from the responses we got - the water was great with some paddlers even saying fish were jumping in the water and the location excellent - my optimistic view is that we can have it up-and-running as early as next year," added Tanner, who is also the chairman of the Hong Kong Rowing Association.
The council will now take these findings and present it to the government while at the same time pursue private funding so a temporary water sports centre adjoining the old Kai Tak Fire Station and behind the new Cruise Terminal can be in use within the next 12 months.
"We are looking at getting use of a temporary site first as a permanent site will not be available until 2019 because of other infrastructure work going on around it," Tanner said. "This [use of a temporary site] will depend on funding and government approval."
The HKWSC is already talking to private concerns about funding and it is understood that they are close to signing off a deal. With the government already committed to building the Kai Tak multi-purpose stadium, the HKWSC is confident that a strong case can also be made for the water sports centre.
"This is a unique resource for the city in terms of a sheltered water environment right on the harbour, providing a readymade facility for the development of water sports which requires flat water," Tanner said.
Fellow HKWSC vice chairman Raymond Ma Siu-ming, who is also the chairman of the HK Dragon Boat Association, added: "It is an opportunity which must not be lost in terms of providing adequate sports facilities for the community and at the same time creating an international standard water sports venue."
Ma had earlier stated that a new venue for dragon boating would help save the government millions of dollars.
"Every year the government spends millions in creating a flat water facility for the international dragon boat races. So why not save money by giving us a permanent place?"
A permanent Kai Tak Water Sports Centre proposed by HKWSC is also under government consideration.
