Discovery park a tourism landmark

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 introducing 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 innovative 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