Redevelopment of floating platform at Singapore's Marina Bay to include water sports centre and swimming pool

The Government of Singapore has announced plans to redevelop the landmark floating platform in the city’s Marina Bay to include a water sports centre, a swimming pool and a National Service-themed gallery.

Singapore’s Ministry of National Development (MND) and Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) yesterday made the joint announcement of the award of the design consultancy tender for the redevelopment of The Float @ Marina Bay to a team led by WOHA Architects.

Redevelopment works are scheduled to start in March 2022 and completed by end-2025, although the project scope and timeline may be adjusted because of COVID-19.

In a press release, the Ministries advised that the proposal submitted by WOHA Architects, in collaboration with Populous Pte Ltd, "best fulfilled the objectives of creating an exciting and accessible community space in the heart of the city” adding that, when completed in 2025, the platform will be transformed into a "fit-for-purpose and flexible events venue for different scales and types of events.

The venue will feature various community sports facilities, such as a swimming pool and water sports centre, as well as a new waterfront promenade.

Food and beverage as well as retail offerings are also being considered, in line with feedback received from the public on enhancing the site's facilities.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in 2017 that The Float @ Marina Bay would be redeveloped into a permanent space and renamed NS Square, to serve as the primary venue for the National Day Parade.

Apart from hosting National Day parades, the redeveloped venue could also be used to stage large-scale national and community events such as River Hongbao and the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown.

The new venue will also house an NS-themed gallery to showcase Singapore’s defence and NS story and to acknowledge the contributions of generations of National Servicemen.

The Marina Bay floating platform was built in 2007 as a temporary stage while the National Stadium was being reconstructed.

It was originally slated to be the venue of this year's National Day Parade, but NDP 2020 has since been scaled down in line with COVID-19 guidelines.

The Government received 25 submissions for the design consultancy tender. Five teams were shortlisted and invited to submit concept design proposals.