Thirty five years ago, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust funded the construction of Ocean Park, providing local residents and overseas visitors with a diverse selection of world-class marine attractions, thrill rides and exciting experiences that offer elements of entertainment, education and conservation. The Trust has donated close to HK$730 million since 1971 to support the Park’s development and operation, enabling it to become one of the major tourist attractions in Hong Kong.
To commemorate this landmark, the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges joined Chief Secretary for Administration Stephen Lam and Ocean Park Chairman Allan Zeman in a special 35th anniversary celebration today (10 January).
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges noted that the Club and the Government shared the same vision over 35 years ago to create an entertainment park for the people of Hong Kong to improve their quality of life. “Over the years, we have contributed HK$730 million to Ocean Park, which shows our commitment as their strategic partner,” he said. “Looking back, we can proudly say that we have achieved this. For this vision to become reality, apart from the resources we provided, we need people who can translate the vision into actions and have the passion to exceed and excel. For this, I would like to congratulate the Park on its success in becoming a landmark of Hong Kong and a must-see destination for visitors.”
Opened in 1977, Ocean Park was built with a Trust donation of more than HK$400 million on free land granted by the Government. The Trust further granted an endowment of $200 million to the Park to ensure its financial stability. In 1998, the Club funded the construction of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat to serve as the permanent residence of the two pandas An An and Jia Jia, given by the Central Government to mark the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty.
A year later, the Trust again provided funding to replace 22 aged diesel vehicles and gasoline carts with environmental-friendly vehicles to promote a clean-air environment. In 2001, the Club partnered the Park to organise an Ocean Park Eco Tour for The Hong Kong Jockey Club Green Child Campaign. Through interactive educational activities and comprehensive educational materials, the tour raised children’s awareness of environmental conservation.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong’s best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city’s major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects. It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city’s growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.
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The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges notes that the Club shared the same vision as the government over 35 years ago to create an entertainment park for the people of Hong Kong and donated HK$730 million to the Park to show the commitment as their strategic partner.
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The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (left) presents a birthday gift to Ocean Park Chairman Allan Zeman (right). The gift is a horseshoe worn by the worlda£á?s best sprinter of his day, Silent Witness, which symbolises Hong Konga£á?s success and can-do-spirit.
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Photos 3/4: The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (6th left) and Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (3rd right) joins Chief Secretary for Administration Stephen Lam (7th left), Ocean Park Chairman Allan Zeman (8th left), Chief Executive Tom Mehrmann (4th right), Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong Chair Judy Chen (5th right) and Commissioner for Tourism Philip Yung (7th right) to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Ocean Park.
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Photos 5/6/7: The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (Photo 5, 2nd left) and guests celebrate the 35th anniversary of Ocean Park.
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