SINGAPORE: Singapore is planning to build a new arena to replace the Singapore Indoor Stadium, which opened its doors nearly 35 years ago.
To be located adjacent to the Indoor Stadium, the yet unnamed venue will be "among the best-in-class globally", Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said on Thursday (Mar 7), as he outlined his ministry's spending plans for the year.
Concerts and sporting events often require more power than the Indoor Stadium’s infrastructure can handle, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said during a media briefing last week.
Money, time and resources need to be spent to add extra power or electrical support.
Meanwhile, countries in the region have built or are building indoor arenas that can host more sophisticated events or have faster turnaround times. They also offer greater value propositions to spectators, such as more varied hospitality suites.
“With intensifying competition, it is important for Singapore to have world-class venues to continue attracting top-tier events and to support community uses,” the ministry said.
Singapore has "gone around to study some of the best arenas in the world, to learn from them", said Mr Tong in parliament.
The new indoor arena will support Singapore's vision for the surrounding Kallang Alive precinct to host world-class events and serve as a homeground for national athletes among other purposes.
Plans are in their early stages and the Singapore Indoor Stadium will continue to operate for now.
"This minimises disruption to the pipeline of events and programming, which can continue throughout the construction period for the new arena," said Mr Tong.
MCCY is considering future uses for the Indoor Stadium, which was officially opened on the last day of 1989.
The Indoor Stadium and its supporting infrastructure cost S$90 million (US$67.1 million) to build. It can seat up to 12,000 and the new arena should "at least have the same capacity", said Mr Tong on Thursday.
Several major sports and entertainment events have been held at the Indoor Stadium over the years, from Kanye West and Tina Turner to the World Wrestling Entertainment and Women's Tennis Association Finals.
In the past year, it has hosted performances by Cantopop star Jacky Cheung and veteran K-pop group Shinee.
MCCY also announced that S$165 million would be set aside over four years for a Major Sports Event Fund to attract more world-class sporting events to Singapore.
The ministry noted that a slew of such events were held in Singapore over the past year, including Olympic Esports Week, the World Table Tennis Singapore Smash and HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens.
When more Singaporeans get to enjoy such major sporting action, some may be inspired to take part, MCCY said.
Team Singapore athletes will also have the opportunity to compete against the world’s best.
During a media briefing, the ministry said such events are usually studied on a case-by-case basis. Having a fund set aside allows Singapore to go “shopping” and make plans in advance.
“Our past experience has been that if we do not go in with a sort of a wallet, with some amount ready in mind, we might actually lose out in that process,” said MCCY.
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To be located adjacent to the Indoor Stadium, the yet unnamed venue will be "among the best-in-class globally", Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said on Thursday (Mar 7), as he outlined his ministry's spending plans for the year.
Concerts and sporting events often require more power than the Indoor Stadium’s infrastructure can handle, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said during a media briefing last week.
Money, time and resources need to be spent to add extra power or electrical support.
Meanwhile, countries in the region have built or are building indoor arenas that can host more sophisticated events or have faster turnaround times. They also offer greater value propositions to spectators, such as more varied hospitality suites.
“With intensifying competition, it is important for Singapore to have world-class venues to continue attracting top-tier events and to support community uses,” the ministry said.
Singapore has "gone around to study some of the best arenas in the world, to learn from them", said Mr Tong in parliament.
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The new indoor arena will support Singapore's vision for the surrounding Kallang Alive precinct to host world-class events and serve as a homeground for national athletes among other purposes.
Plans are in their early stages and the Singapore Indoor Stadium will continue to operate for now.
"This minimises disruption to the pipeline of events and programming, which can continue throughout the construction period for the new arena," said Mr Tong.
MCCY is considering future uses for the Indoor Stadium, which was officially opened on the last day of 1989.
The Indoor Stadium and its supporting infrastructure cost S$90 million (US$67.1 million) to build. It can seat up to 12,000 and the new arena should "at least have the same capacity", said Mr Tong on Thursday.
Several major sports and entertainment events have been held at the Indoor Stadium over the years, from Kanye West and Tina Turner to the World Wrestling Entertainment and Women's Tennis Association Finals.
In the past year, it has hosted performances by Cantopop star Jacky Cheung and veteran K-pop group Shinee.
"SHOPPING" FOR MAJOR EVENTS
MCCY also announced that S$165 million would be set aside over four years for a Major Sports Event Fund to attract more world-class sporting events to Singapore.
The ministry noted that a slew of such events were held in Singapore over the past year, including Olympic Esports Week, the World Table Tennis Singapore Smash and HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens.
When more Singaporeans get to enjoy such major sporting action, some may be inspired to take part, MCCY said.
Team Singapore athletes will also have the opportunity to compete against the world’s best.
During a media briefing, the ministry said such events are usually studied on a case-by-case basis. Having a fund set aside allows Singapore to go “shopping” and make plans in advance.
“Our past experience has been that if we do not go in with a sort of a wallet, with some amount ready in mind, we might actually lose out in that process,” said MCCY.
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