The Star Malaysia

DISCOVERY PARK A TOURISM LANDMARK

- By ERIC QUAH ericq@thestar.com.my

AFTER launching the mindfully crafted 620ha Gamuda Cove township last September, Malaysian townmaker Gamuda Land reveals that a 20ha recreation­al park will become its first tourism and hangout spot to commence in that developmen­t.

Called Discovery Park, it is designed as the next tourism and entertainm­ent centre for Southern Klang Valley and will offer fun and thrills, spectacula­r sights and nature-based activities in three recreation­al zones: Adventure Park, Hangout Village and Sports Park.

In a grand gesture, the developer also unveiled six key partners – Aerophile, AKA Balloon, Blastacars, Invade, Kitchen Mafia and Caravan Serai – who together with Gamuda Land CEO Ngan Chee Meng signed a memorandum of understand­ing (MoU) at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club earlier this week.

VIPs and guests were then treated to a taste of Discovery Park as they ascended in two tethered hot air balloons that were set upon the greens, courtesy of AKA Balloon.

Discovery Park is part of Gamuda Cove’s total 150ha commercial space dedicated to shopping, dining, leisure and outdoor recreation­al activities.

Adventure Park

Here is the vantage point for thrill seekers to enjoy lush greenery of the adjacent Paya Indah Wetlands and Kuala Langat forest reserves. Various adventure options include Malaysia’s first tethered hot air balloon operated by AKA Balloon, indoor drift-karting with Blastacars Drift Karts that originated from New Zealand, mountain biking or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding through the woods, outdoor glamping with Caravan Serai, and even a climb through an adventure rope course.

Hangout Village

This, on the other hand, is a social hub with a melange of F&B and leisure experience­s – from shopping, dining to chilling out.

Here, the Aerophile Group from France introduces the revolution­ary concept of “foodtainme­nt” to Malaysians with South-East Asia’s first Aerobar, where 15 passengers can enjoy drinks 35m high up in the air with each ride.

Discovery Park will be introduc-

ing Malaysia’s first diving beach pool club where guests can rent a daybed and spend their day at the pool with food and drinks.

This zone also offers art and food enthusiast­s a creative market called The Hive that will be curated by Invade, known for its inno-

vative retail concepts, pop-up retail store management and runs some of the largest flea markets.

Also appearing in the Hangout Village is the Kitchen Mafia by celebrity chef Sherson Lian and award-winning chef Johnny Fua, renowned for their hospitalit­y which ranges from food, drinks to their showmanshi­p.

Future attraction­s include a chocolate factory and more thematic retail shops, cafes, restaurant­s and bars.

Sports Park

This area will house internatio­nal standard sports facilities, such as an Olympic-length swimming pool, badminton and football academy, a golf driving range suitable for all ages and levels of players, and a wellness centre.

There will also be experienti­al cycling and walking trails to enjoy picturesqu­e views of surroundin­g nature.

Opening 2019

Gamuda Land’s Ngan said the company is confident that Discovery Park would be the key destinatio­n for local and foreign visitors and a defining landmark in the region when it starts operating next year.

“It will be exciting years to come for Gamuda Land. By leveraging on the increased population density of the central region and capturing the inflow of people from both North and South, we hope to create places that drive the socio-economic benefits of the region,” he said.

Gamuda Cove Discovery Park is scheduled for partial opening in 2019 with its Adventure Park and Hangout Village, and full opening with all zones by 2020. The company is still in talks with more retailers.

Next in the pipeline for Gamuda Cove is the water theme park to open by 2022 to complement Discovery Park.

Nature sanctuary, future city

The main township of Gamuda Cove is Gamuda Land’s latest township developmen­t strategica­lly located in the southern corridor, along the Elite Highway and opposite Cyberjaya and close to KLIA and KLIA2.

Dubbed the “nature sanctuary, future city”, Gamuda Cove which has a gross developmen­t value of RM20bil is planned as a smart sustainabl­e township that encompasse­s homes, businesses, education, arts and culture, wellness, leisure and entertainm­ent components.

It adheres to four developmen­t pillars of being a nature-inspired sanctuary, a smart sustainabl­e city, a tourism and entertainm­ent centre, and as the nucleus of south Klang Valley.

“What truly differenti­ates Gamuda Land’s townships is our mindful planning, and to be able to bring all the components together thoughtful­ly,” Ngan said.

“Like how we are mindful of the wetlands and forest reserve when we lay out the parks and lakes with native plants to maintain a balanced ecosystem and how we think through the connectivi­ty and infrastruc­ture master plan so that the residentia­l, commercial and public places will come together to make the town work,” he said. For details, go to gamudaland.com.my

 ??  ?? Tethered hot air balloon rides will happen at the Adventure Park zone of the Discovery Park.
Tethered hot air balloon rides will happen at the Adventure Park zone of the Discovery Park.
 ??  ?? The Hive, a creative market for art and food enthusiast­s, will be opening at Hangout Village.
The Hive, a creative market for art and food enthusiast­s, will be opening at Hangout Village.
 ??  ?? (From left) Invade CEO Kent Teo, Kitchen Mafia director Sherson Lian, Aerophile Group general manager Matthieu Gobbi, Gamuda Land CEO Ngan Chee Meng, Blastacars Malaysia CEO John Wong, AKA Balloon CEO Nur Izzati Khairudin and Caravan Serai managing director Chua Teck Huang after signing the MoU.
(From left) Invade CEO Kent Teo, Kitchen Mafia director Sherson Lian, Aerophile Group general manager Matthieu Gobbi, Gamuda Land CEO Ngan Chee Meng, Blastacars Malaysia CEO John Wong, AKA Balloon CEO Nur Izzati Khairudin and Caravan Serai managing director Chua Teck Huang after signing the MoU.

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