HONG KONG | Ocean Park Development News

[hkskyline]

Polar express
The Standard
Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Hong Kong children don't often get a chance to see a snowy owl, king penguin or Pacific walrus. But when they do, they inevitably fall in love and start worrying about the fate of their new friends. This is the kind of thinking the new education programs rolled out by Ocean Park Academy hope to spark. In July, Polar Adventure, the SAR's first attraction with Arctic and Antarctic animals opened to visitors at the theme park.

Spanning more than 150,000 square feet and housing 100 polar animals, the park's newest attraction bears a mission of raising awareness of the impact of global climate change on polar wildlife and habitats.

The impact of global climate change is becoming increasingly urgent. The National Snow and Ice Data Center, a US research institution, reported last month that the extent of Arctic sea ice shrank to 409,188 square kilometers this summer, from 416,958 sq km in 2007.

The seas in the North Pole region are mostly topped with ice. In the winter, the frozen saltwater surface usually extends about 15.54 million sq km, shrinking in summer and growing back in the fall.

"By itself, it's just a number and occasionally records are going to get set," said NSIDC scientist Walt Meier. "But in the context of what's happened in the last several years and throughout the satellite record, it's an indication that the Arctic sea ice cover is fundamentally changing."

Alex Wong Wai-tung, education manager at Ocean Park Academy, and his colleagues are very pas
sionate about the new program.

They expect to introduce and reinforce the concept of climate change to students. "We design the curriculum so that kids can have fun learning, gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and nature," Wong said.

The Polar Adventure education programs comprise three parts, catering to children of different age groups.

North Pole Buddies is designed for kindergarten children aged three to five. It focuses on teaching observation skills, such as asking children to describe the special features of polar animals. Also, through simple and lively teaching methods including puzzle games and storytelling, preschool children will gain a basic understanding of nature.

The program, including classroom activities and site visit, costs HK$50 per student.

South Pole Summit is tailor-made for Primary One to Three students aged six to eight. Through this program, students can discover via computer animation how polar birds are influenced by climate change.

The critical part is to teach them practical tips on low-carbon living, such as which kind of lightbulb to choose, and how to use electricity smartly. The program costs HK$60 per student.

Polar Voyage leads Secondary One to Three students, aged 12 to 14, on an exploration to discover how polar animals adapt to harsh conditions.

In group games, these students will assume different roles - such as explorers, researchers, polar residents and resource company management - to exchange ideas on climate change. It helps students prepare for the liberal studies session of the new senior secondary curriculum.

This program costs HK$80 per student. The academy is taking applications now until the end of August next year.

Perry Chiu Bit-sing, a Primary Six pupil from St Joseph's Primary School, said: "I feel sad for these polar animals, which have a smaller and smaller place to live in because the ice is melting. I think human beings should seriously think about the issue.

"We should use less electricity and develop new energy sources, such as wind and solar power instead of exploiting petrol and natural gas."

Applying what he learned from the program, Perry said he would share the knowledge of climate change with his classmates and turn off the air- conditioner when the temperature is below 28 degrees Celsius.

"I wish I could visit the North Pole one day," Perry said. "Think about the Arctic fox, the pure white animal is so amazing. I want to see for myself what its living conditions are like."

Website: opahk.oceanpark.com.hk

[hkskyline]

Carbon cuts spell cleaner fun at park
The Standard
Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Ocean Park hopes to reduce carbon emissions by 10percent in 10 years in a HK$50 million program.

By doing so it aims to become the world's first low-carbon emissions theme park.

It expects the number of visitors to increase to eight million in 2022 from seven million this year.

The target was set with the help of Carbon Care Asia, a green group that helps the park conduct carbon audits to verify effectiveness and progress.

Carbon emissions at the park this year are expected to reach 56,906 tonnes. They are forecast to be less than 51,000 tonnes in 2022.

"As a responsible corporation, Ocean Park is committed to contributing positively to carbon reduction and a low- carbon visiting experience," deputy chief executive Matthias Li Sing-chung said yesterday.

Li said that instead of using carbon-reduction intensity as adopted by most local firms, the park has decided to take a further step by reducing emissions in terms of per capita.

This is to divide annual absolute carbon emissions by total visitors instead of by revenue.

"Using revenue is impractical as the reduction intensity can be easily achieved simply by raising the park's admission fee. We don't want to fool the public, we really want to do something for the environment and for our next generation," Li said.

"We found about 80percent of carbon emissions in the park are related to electricity consumption, mainly to maintain an ideal environment for the creatures who live there," engineering executive director George Tso Chi-keung said.

Measures include a series of upgrades on the life support system for animals including adopting highly efficient water-cooled chillers and refrigerants to reduce energy loss.

The environment will be controlled by computer monitoring of the exchange of water, the inflow of fresh air and water flow rates.

Also, pipes drawing seawater for tanks will be re-routed to shorten the length of the journey, thereby creating a more efficient circulation system.

By adopting solar-powered electric carts for transportation inside the park, energy usage will also be reduced by 40percent.

[hkskyline]

05-11-2012
Ocean Park Sets New Industry Standards in Carbon Management
Energy Consumption Reduction to Produce HK$70 Million in Utility Savings over Next Ten Years
Highly Energy-efficient Life Support System for Animals and Solar-powered Carts among Measures Being Implemented to Help Reach 10% Absolute Carbon Reduction Target
http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/...ess.php?id=582

Key Excerpts :

Ocean Park thus has developed various carbon reduction measures, including a new, highly energy-efficient LSS currently being built. Mr. George Tso, Ocean Park’s Executive Director of Engineering, explained, “A series of upgrades on the Life Support System for animals in Ocean Park will be implemented in the next 10 years, including switching to highly efficient water-cooled chillers, using low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerant, as well as strengthening insulation to reduce energy loss. We will also enhance control of our animals’ environment with real-time computer monitoring to adjust the exchange of water, the inflow of fresh air, and water flow rates. These will enable us to provide energy-efficient living environments for our animals. Moreover, we will re-route some pipes to shorten the pipe route to draw seawater, thereby creating a more energy-efficient water circulation system. We have also installed solar panels on 24 staff vehicles used to transport materials within the Park, with the plan to introduce more solar-powered vehicles in the near future. This adoption of solar energy is expected to reduce energy usage by 30%

[hkskyline]

By 陆文龙 from a Chinese photography forum :

[hkskyline]

Ocean Park hopeful of hooking hotel backer
The Standard
Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Ocean Park is optimistic it will attract greater interest from companies in developing its first hotel this time around after changing tender terms.

The proposed four-star Ocean Hotel is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2016, instead of 2015 as originally planned.

Park officials did not say when the tender for a second facility, the Fisherman's Wharf Hotel at Tai Shue Wan will be floated.

The 495-room Ocean Hotel will be built on a 17,044-square-meter site in front of the main entrance at Aberdeen.

The tender exercise will close on April 8, and the contract with the winning bidder is expected to be signed in the fourth quarter.

All submissions will initially be assessed and rated on their technical merit, with 65percent on design excellence and 35percent on the financial strength and hotel management credentials of the tenderers.

"The first time did not go well because the bids we received were not up to our expectations - both technically and financially," an Ocean Park spokeswoman said.

Under a build-operate-transfer model, the winning bidder will be selected from a short list of companies that have passed the technical proposal assessment and offer the highest land premium. The government has not set a minimum premium.

The tenderer will also have to provide a fixed 1.75 percent of gross receipts to Ocean Park, and will finally hand over the hotel to the park authorities in 2047.

Park chairman Allan Zeman said the new hotel will enhance the position of Southern District as a new base for travelers. "The proposed design of the hotel must be compatible with Ocean Park's mission to provide guests with memorable experiences combining conservation, education and entertainment values, as well as its vision to connect people with nature," Zeman said.

The theme park saw attendance grow to 7.1 million at the end of June, up from 6.4 million the previous fiscal year, ending June 2011. It expects attendances to grow by 5 to 10 percent this year.

[hkskyline]

Ocean Park to Become a Comprehensive International Resort Destination
Boosted by Development of Ocean Hotel

Hotel Targeted for 2016 Completion to Complement the Recently Completed
Master Redevelopment Plan and Additional New Attractions Opening from 2014
Hotel Project Alone Expected to Create 3,500 New Employment Positions

Press Release
(8 January 2013, Hong Kong) Ocean Park today announced news of further expansion with the issuance of a tender invitation to develop a hotel targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2016. With the completion of the Master Redevelopment Plan and the planned opening of a number of new world-class attractions from 2014, one day is not enough to experience all that the Park has to offer. The planned hotel will thus provide convenient accommodations for guests spending multiple days at Ocean Park, and transform Hong Kong People’s Park into a premier international resort destination. The hotel project, now featuring terms that are more in line with market expectations, is expected to create 3,500 new employment positions during the construction phase and, upon completion, approximately 500 permanent hospitality positions.

The 495-room “Ocean Hotel” will be built on a 17,044 square-metre site in front of Ocean Park’s main entrance. Tender submissions will be accepted until 8 April 2013, and the contract with the successful tenderer is expected to be signed during the fourth quarter of 2013. Tender submissions will first be assessed and scored on their respective Technical Proposals, with design excellence receiving a weighting of 65%, whilst financial strength of the proponent and hotel management credentials are assigned a 35% weighting. Submissions that exceed the passing score under the Technical Proposal assessment will be ranked in order of the land premium offered in their respective Financial Proposal, with the tenderer proposing the highest amount to be selected as the Most Preferred Proponent. The Most Preferred Proponent will be appointed as the successful tenderer once they are able to satisfy the statutory process and requirements, e.g. Planning Approval Conditions; acceptance of lease modification conditions; payment of land premium, etc.

Ocean Park expects the tender exercise will attract feasible and sustainable development proposals as the Government will accept the premium offered by the Most Preferred Proponent.

Dr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Ocean Park, said, “Having been recognised as a world-leading theme park with our recent Applause Award accolade, we are now ready to transform Ocean Park into a premier international resort destination and further fulfil our role as a major pillar of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. With the completion of the MTR South Island Line in 2015, the new hotel will also enhance Southern District’s position as a new base for travellers. The proposed design of the hotel must be compatible with Ocean Park’s mission to provide guests with memorable experiences combining conservation, education and entertainment values, as well as its vision to connect people with nature. We are grateful to the Hong Kong Government for working closely with us to come up with an appealing project, which will enhance destination tourism, and reinforce our contribution to local employment opportunities in both the construction and hospitality sectors.”

Dr. Zeman concluded, “Further to the completion of our Master Redevelopment Plan, which expanded the Park significantly, Ocean Park will be unveiling a number of world-class attractions beginning in 2014. A new shark aquarium, created from the former Atoll Reef, will open in the third quarter of 2014. This will be followed by the opening of the much-anticipated koala exhibit in the fourth quarter of 2014. More exciting still is the on-going planning work for the redevelopment of the now-closed Tai Shue Wan area into a water park. We look forward to sharing each exciting milestone with the people of Hong Kong and visitors from all over the world alike. ”

[hkskyline]

RECORD CROWDS THRONG TO PARKS
The Standard
Thursday, February 14, 2013

Thousands of residents and tourists had their holidays ruined when Ocean Park suspended the sale of tickets for the second successive day because of excessive crowds.

The two-day shutout at the popular theme park sparked renewed calls yesterday for more tourism attractions and infrastructure to meet an increasing number of visitors.

Crowd management measures were implemented to control admissions to the park, though those celebrating their birthdays, senior citizens aged 65 and over who enjoy free entry, and annual pass holders were not affected.

A spokeswoman said the number of visitors on Tuesday surpassed the 2011 daily record of 48,000.

She added that when guests reach 28,000 to 32,000, the park usually makes an announcement persuading visitors to return another day.

"Our regulation is that not more than 36,600 can appear in the park at the same time,'' she said.

Visitors to Disneyland also complained that they spent a long time in queues to get rides.

A spokeswoman said Disneyland recorded its highest number of visitors for a single day on Tuesday, while yesterday's crowd was the second highest. She did not mention the figures.

The tourism sector has called for an increase in the number of attractions and has opposed limiting the number of visitors through administrative measures.

Tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said it is time to review Hong Kong's ability to receive visitors and agreed on suggestions to develop more attractions in districts such as the islands.

Yiu also suggested reviewing the maximum attendance at Ocean Park and Disneyland.

"In the short term we can improve the notifi dhcation system by making announcements at border crossings so that visitors can adjust their itineraries,'' he said. "In the long term, there should be more attractions in order to disperse the visitors. For example, we can improve facilities in the islands to attract visitors.

"Building a Shaolin monastery in Sai Kung, which has been reported, is also a good idea.''

Yiu opposed limiting the number of visitors with administrative measures, saying this will have a prolonged impact on the economy.

"Once you stop visitors from coming, it will be hard to get them back.''

Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung Yao-chung welcomed the construction of more attractions but said this will take time.

A spokeswoman for the Hong Kong Tourism Board said it has not received complaints about overcrowding at attractions.

[timo9]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

By 陆文龙 from a Chinese photography forum :

Great update keep the work

[hkskyline]

Rise of new marvels at parks
The Standard Excerpt
Thursday, February 28, 2013





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Ocean Park, meanwhile, will receive a HK$2.3 billion loan from the government to build a new, all-weather Water World.

The feature will enhance park facilities, which last year won the industry's prestigious Applause Award, the first Asian attraction to be recognized as the best theme park in the world.

Sources said the loan will "spur early commencement of the project," and will be repaid over 20 years with an interest of 5percent.

Construction will begin by the end of this year or early next, with the attraction expected to open in 2017.

Unlike the former Water World, which had only man-made outdoor facilities and was closed in 1999, the new, much larger version will feature rides and combine a pool with a natural beach.

Whether visitors will need a separate ticket to enter has not yet been decided.

The funding proposal will be submitted to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in the next few months.

A spokeswoman said the park is delighted to receive support from the government.

"The all-weather water park will be able to accommodate a maximum of 15,000 visitors a day," she said.

She added the project will create 2,900 jobs and generate HK$842 million in tourism growth by 2018.

Tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said both theme parks are in need of new attractions to draw new customers.

But he is concerned as to whether the 27-hectare Disneyland, one of the smallest in the world, can stand the competition from Shanghai's Disneyland, which will open in 2015.

"What the park needs in the long term is a large money injection for large-scale development," Yiu added. "It has to be done between the government in Hong Kong and Walt Disney in the United States."