Plans by Toronto-based design and planning firm, Forrec, to create a $25m all ages, all seasons water-oriented theme park in southern China have been selected by a resort’s developers.

The 10 hectare Mystery Island project will be part of China Travel International Investment’s RMB3bn Zhuhai Ocean Hot Springs resort, currently under construction and the largest tourism project in Zhuhai.

Mystery Island will be created from the main feature of the resort site, a 24m high hill, and, said Forrec vice president, Anthony van Dam, "will be used to evoke imagery from legends, folktales and popular literature to spark curiosity".

Construction is scheduled to commence later this year and it is anticipated that the park will open in early 2005.

Forrec’s track record includes the design and construction of five major theme parks, 12 entertainment centres, six themed attractions, eight water parks, three resorts and three casinos.

Zhuhai, site of the new resort, borders Macao to the south by land and is about 41 miles west of Hong Kong. Amongst other accolades, it has been called One of the 40 top Tourism Attractions in China and The National Excellent Tourism City. Details: www.forrec.com / www.zhuhai.com.cn