ST : Sentosa plans new attractions

Jul 22, 2010

Sentosa plans new attractions

International firms invited to discuss how to further develop island

By Tessa Wong

SENTOSA is looking at the possibility of adding to its list of attractions, even as visitors have been pouring in to check out new features such as the Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort.

Some 60 international companies have been sought out by the Sentosa Development Corporation in recent months for discussions on how to further develop the island, which already boasts close to 30 attractions.

At least two areas have been earmarked for further transformation, with Sentosa tendering for developers.

One is Palawan Beach, which already received a makeover in 2006. The upcoming revamp will feature an 800m landscaped walkway to incorporate the current stretch of bars, restaurants and a foodcourt along the area.

The new walkway, Palawan Link, will have additional restaurants and cafes, and will also feature a pirate-themed splashing zone for young children.

Sentosa is also exploring the idea of building a family entertainment centre in this area.

Also in line for development is the grassy 30ha slope bordered by the Images of Singapore attraction, the Merlion Tower and Siloso Beach. To be called Imbiah Garden Link, the area will be turned into a visitor attraction that will, at the same time, connect pedestrians to other attractions in the Imbiah and Siloso area.

It will have a garden theme and can host flower shows and garden events, and will also have space for public art displays and interactive exhibits.

On top of these two projects, Sentosa's management is currently mulling over several ideas, including building a massive artificial lagoon.

Chilean company Crystal Lagoon has proposed building a 12ha, 2m-deep pool along Siloso and Palawan beaches. This would be bounded by the small islets that lie off those beaches.

This pool would be bigger than Crystal Lagoon's most famous achievement, an 8ha pool at the southern Chilean resort of San Alfonso del Mar which, in 2008, earned the Guinness Book of Records title for the world's biggest swimming pool.

Like that pool, the proposed Sentosa lagoon would be filled with sea water that is treated and filtered to become clear blue salt water. It would also feature an artificial beach constructed around it, filled with white sand made from ground quartz.

Sentosa Development Corporation chief executive Mike Barclay said that while nothing has been signed yet, the company is definitely looking into the idea. 'There is nothing like this in our part of the world,' he said.

However, he stressed that it is just one of many ideas under consideration.

Any future developments are likely to cost Sentosa millions of dollars, if the $11 million bill for the 2006 makeover of Palawan Beach is anything to go by.

Estimates given to The Straits Times by Crystal Lagoon suggest that building the artificial lagoon could cost Sentosa US$4.2 million (S$5.8 million), while maintaining it would require a further US$504,000 per year.

The corporation, which is a government statutory board, appears to be in good financial health. According to its latest financial statement, it has $2.7 billion in total capital and reserves.

Future infrastructure developments such as Palawan Link and Imbiah Garden Link are likely to receive additional government funding.

The number of visitors to the island has grown steadily, with 6.2 million last year, a 50 per cent increase from 2003.

In that period, the island saw the upgrading of its beaches, the development of Sentosa Cove and the construction of new attractions such as the Sentosa Luge and the Sky Tower.

All of them were part of an $8 billion masterplan started in 2002 to rejuvenate the island. More private businesses have since gone in, with the opening of the integrated resort, a wave simulation attraction and a watersports centre all in the past 12 months.

Meanwhile, workers have been busy constructing a large boardwalk between the mainland and the island, the new Movenpick Hotel and a skydiving simulator, all due in coming months.

When asked why it was considering even more attractions such as the lagoon, spokesman Suzanne Ho said: 'To increase Sentosa's appeal as a choice leisure destination, we continually seek interesting ideas to refresh our existing island offerings and introduce innovative attractions.'

twong@sph.com.sg