20-acre water sports Blue Park highlights RM8 mln Phase 2 Ang Cheng Ho Quarry revamp

The Ang Cheng Ho Quarry rejuvenation project site. Photo credit: Dr Sim Kui Hian's FB

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 8: A “Blue Park” featuring more than 20 acres of water sports facilities will be the centrepiece of Phase 2 of the Ang Cheng Ho Quarry rejuvenation project in Batu Kawa, with works set to be tendered soon under an RM8 million allocation from the Sarawak government.

Deputy Premier and Batu Kawa assemblyman Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said Phase 2 of the rejuvenation project for the abandoned Ang Cheng Ho Quarry is now ready for tender by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP).

“The phase will focus on developing various park facilities surrounding the existing Ang Cheng Ho Multipurpose Hall completed under Phase 1,” he said in a statement today.

The development, he explained, forms part of a broader vision to transform the former quarry into a 70-acre recreational destination comprising a “Blue Park” with more than 20 acres dedicated to water sports and aquatic activities, as well as a “Green Park” spanning more than 40 acres of landscaped urban forest and recreational facilities.

“This is part of the eventual 70-acre development that will combine water-based recreation with green public spaces for the community,” he said.

Earlier this year, Dr Sim revealed that Phase 2 would include lighting, landscaping and leisure amenities aimed at creating an attractive and accessible recreational area for residents and visitors.

The new phase is also expected to feature food and leisure attractions similar to those found at the Batu Kawa Riverbank Waterfront, but on a larger scale, further enhancing the area’s appeal as a community gathering spot.

Looking further ahead, Dr Sim said the quarry rejuvenation project is guided by a long-term master plan targeting completion by 2030. The plan envisions the 70-acre site evolving into a mixed-use recreational and commercial hub, incorporating developments such as a shopping centre and a one-stop service hub.

He stressed that the project is designed to strike a balance between economic development and the preservation of public recreational spaces, ensuring that community well-being remains a priority.

Dr Sim also reaffirmed the Sarawak government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure projects that improve quality of life, promote healthy lifestyles and support the sustainable growth of Batu Kawa as a vibrant and liveable constituency.

Phase 1 of the quarry makeover, completed in 2024 at a cost of RM9.8 million, included the construction of a multipurpose hall capable of accommodating up to 1,000 people and a 3,000-square-foot innovation hub. The main building overlooks a 20-acre natural lake, which is expected to become a key attraction within the future Blue Park development. — DayakDaily