Debated in Parliament on 16 Sep 2013.
Mr Nicholas Fang asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether he can provide an update on the progress of construction of the new Sports Hub and whether it will be available for use for the National Day Parade in 2014.
Mdm Speaker, the construction of the Singapore Sports Hub is currently progressing on schedule. Based on the progress so far, the Sports Hub should be able to begin operations in April next year as planned. This means that the new National Stadium would technically be available for the National Day Parade in August next year. However, there are detailed logistical and operational requirements, including sufficient lead time for rehearsals, which need to be catered for the NDP. So, the NDP organisers are studying these detailed requirements, before deciding on the venue of the NDP next year.
Thank you, Madam. One supplementary question. The preparations for the National Day Parade typically require about a year's worth of planning. Is there any concern on the part of the Ministry about the potential delay in terms of the preparation build-up and
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impact on next year's parade?
I thank the Member for his supplementary question. The planning and the preparations of the National Day Parade, indeed, have a long lead time. Actually, it is already in progress. It is a matter of deciding on the venue and I believe the National Day Parade Organising Committee, which has already been set up, are in close discussions with the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and the Sports Hub Private Limited, which is the private-sector partner of the Sports Hub Project, and they will be deciding on the venue by the end of this year.
Thank you, Madam. A supplementary question. Would the Minister consider that, wherever the venue is for the National Day Parade in 2014, that improved access for citizens in wheelchairs be considered?
I thank the Member for the supplementary question and I should avoid giving a tutorial on which Ministry is responsible for the organisation of the National Day Parade. It actually comes under MINDEF and not MCCY. But I will convey the feedback to the Minister for Defence and I believe that the National Day Parade Organising Committee would take that into consideration when organising next year's National Day Parade.
My supplementary question is under your purview, Minister. I would like to ask whether there are any plans that are firm for the floating platform. I have found the floating platform to be a very, very nice facility. I hope this would become a permanent feature and we could use it and enhance it and not take it away.
I thank the Member for the supplementary question. Indeed, the Singapore Sports Council is looking at the floating platform long term. I think it is a wonderful stage which we are very mindful can be used for things beyond the National Day Parade. When the new National Stadium is ready and we have the National Day Parade potentially moving to the new National Stadium, we can consider long-term potential uses for the floating platform. So, that is being studied, not just by Singapore Sports Council itself, but also in partnership with potentially other agencies which may have an interest in the long-term uses of the floating platform.
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Madam, just a quick clarification. The Acting Minister did say a decision by the end of this year. Is that correct?
Yes, it is by the end of the year.
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