To make the best use of Ocean Park, turn it into a quarantine centre

Given that the theme park is far from residential areas, its use as a quarantine site would cause less anger and resentment
Ultimately, the failing park should be used for residential housing and marine education but, right now, Carrie Lam has a duty to put public health first

Albert Cheng

Published: 6:00am, 7 Feb 2020

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As the new coronavirus continues to spread, Hong Kong has been plagued by fear and panic. As of February 6, there had been 22 diagnosed cases – with two more preliminary cases – in the city, while hundreds who were in close contact with the patients or who have been on the mainland have been quarantined. Experts expect the outbreak in the city to widen in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the government has struggled to find quarantine sites. A proposal to use locations near residential areas has drawn protests. However, officials seem to have overlooked a perfect quarantine spot – Ocean Park.

Firstly, the amusement park has been temporarily closed since January 26 because of the outbreak; so there is plenty of idle space.

Secondly, Ocean Park is far from residential areas, and its use as a quarantine site would not cause further resentment. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her government should begin setting up quarantine facilities in the park as soon as possible.

This would truly be the best use of Ocean Park under the circumstances. The theme park is poorly managed and widely known to be a financial black hole. Its current cash flow is as little as HK$400 million, which is definitely not enough to sustain daily operations for long. Worse, it has overrun its budget for a much-delayed water park.

Bosses at Ocean Park must pay for mess

Weeks ago, Ocean Park’s top management appeared before the Legislative Council’s economic development panel, seeking approval for HK$10.64 billion for a major revamp. Instead of giving a practical solution for the park’s problems, the management presented a grand plan that would involve creating educational adventures and elevating visitor experience of the park.

Obviously, lawmakers did not buy the idea. Indeed, given Ocean Park’s longstanding management problems, it is time for a thorough review.

Back in July 2009, the theme park announced it would raise admission prices, using the cost of the park’s expansion as an excuse. The move angered the general public. At the time, I voiced strong criticism of the park and my position has never changed (but nor has its incompetent management).

Ocean Park said it required no government funding, which was untrue. The park is a statutory body. Its land was provided by the government for free and its construction costs were funded the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

It was supposed to uphold the mission of offering Hongkongers affordable recreation and marine education. As such, the park should have prioritised public interests. Hence, the fee hike was unjustifiable.

Quarantine furore says much about what’s wrong with HK

Eleven years later, the new management – Leo Kung Lin-cheng and Lau Ming-wai – has similarly put aside the original mission of the park.

Since Allan Zeman became chairman in 2003, Ocean Park has become more of a profit-driven commercial entity anyway. This time, the park is essentially asking for HK$10.64 billion to cover the cost overrun on the water park, which has nothing to do with marine education, and it would be nonsense to pump public money into such a facility.

Disregarding the questionable water park that is still being built, if Ocean Park is to follow its original intent, it should first and foremost offer all educational activities free of charge to Hong Kong residents. As for the water park and amusement rides, Hongkongers should also be given preferential prices.

But, in the long run, there is only one way to resolve the park’s financial crisis – demolish the water park and amusement rides to make way for luxury residential development. The educational facilities of the park should be kept and funded by revenue from the property sales.

This is a win-win solution: Ocean Park’s financial viability would be safeguarded and, at the same time, it can return to its long-forgotten mission of promoting marine education in Hong Kong.

Future plans aside, however, the most pressing task for the government right now is to find more locations for its quarantine centres. If Lam still has some compassion left, she should put the public first and start converting the remote Ocean Park into a quarantine facility.

Albert Cheng King-hon is a political commentator

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