Barrage of endless fun

From picnicking to dining, there is plenty to do for everyone at the Marina Barrage
Cheryl Tan, Straits Times 8 Nov 08;

There has never been a better time to soak up Singapore's waterfront experience - and the latest attraction there, the Marina Barrage, takes this to a whole new level.

Sure, a ride in a glass-fronted capsule on the nearby Singapore Flyer will give you a quick high, but the panoramic views at the $226-million barrage are something you can take in at your leisure, with nothing between you and the seabreeze cooling your face and it is free.

The barrage, located at Marina Channel where the Singapore and Kallang rivers meet before flowing into the sea, opened to the public last week. It separates sea water from fresh water, boosts Singapore's water supply by 10 per cent and controls floods in low-lying areas such as Chinatown by keeping out tidal waves.

But aside from those practical benefits, it is also set to be a lifestyle hot spot in the heart of the city.

Whether you want a day out with the family, a fun evening with friends or a lunch break away from the office, there is something for everyone at the barrage's dam, promenade bridge and its distinctive, building housing pumps, galleries and eateries.

For example, you can picnic on top of the spiralling building on its eye-catching 'Green Roof', which has grassy lawns to act as an insulation layer to reduce the need for air-conditioning.

The rooftop spot - the size of four football fields - offers 360-degree unblocked views of the central business district, Singapore Flyer, Benjamin Sheares Bridge and the South China Sea.

It slopes downwards in two interlocking spirals to a courtyard, which has fountains, a water play area for children and water-related art pieces.

In time, visitors can expect to attend concerts or organise private parties up on the roof, said Mr Yap Kheng Guan, director of the Public Utilities Board's 3P (people, public and private sectors) network.

Or you can dine alfresco at the building's Gallery Cafe, facing the South China Sea.

From the middle of next month, you can also enjoy a steamboat meal by the sea at the 7th Storey restaurant, which is actually on the ground floor.

Spot the past and future

Inside the building is the Sustainable Singapore Gallery, which has free guided tours through six interactive multimedia galleries with information on water and environmental issues.

Visitors can also stroll along the 350m-long barrage bridge spanning the dam. Take in the skyline or sit and rest at one of its eight pavilions.

This project of damming the mouth of the Marina Channel to build a freshwater lake was started by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew almost 20 years ago when he was prime minister.

The barrage building's 'number nine' shape is deliberate: 'Nine' is traditionally associated by the Chinese with longevity.

One of its designers, Mr Joseph M. Fermanes, says the design is also meant to 'resemble the sails of the ship and a seashell', linking the building with its coastal location.

For retiree Victor Samuel, it is the scenery from the barrage he likes the most because he gets to see the old parts of Singapore - near Golden Mile Complex- and the newer side - the city skyline and the upcoming integrated resort.

But the 68-year-old hopes to see more potted plants around the pavilions along the bridge: 'It will be cooler and I can meditate better.'

Sales executive Tan Kok Ann, 27, was impressed by the innovative displays in the galleries and the use of electronic displays of newspaper clippings that take him back in time.

However, he suggested making the barrage more accessible to those who do not drive.

Accessible or not, 60-year-old retiree Buang Marjubi is already planning a picnic for his family of 15 up on the Green Roof at the end of the year.

He says: 'I want to take my family to relax and enjoy the best view in Singapore.'

tcheryl@sph.com.sg

Cross the bridge when you reach it

The 350m-long bridge across the mouth of the Marina Channel provides a scenic lookout point with its several shady spots.

It is dotted with eight pavilions which look out to the reservoir and which also face the city skyline - perfect for enjoying the seabreeze.

Nine steel, crest gates are embedded in the bridge's concrete walls and are a spectacular sight when they open and close during days with heavy rainfall to regulate water levels in the freshwater reservoir.

They are lowered when heavy rains coincide with low tides to allow excess stormwater to flow out.

The pavilions, with their shelter and proximity to the gates, are a good spot to watch this in action.

But note, the gates do not open if heavy rains coincide with a high tide. This is to prevent sea water from gushing into the reservoir.

During these times, seven drainage pumps in the Marina Barrage pump house drain the excess water from the reservoir to prevent flooding.

The pump room is in the barrage's main building, housed in glass so visitors can view the massive 7.5m pumps. Weighing 28 tonnes, the pumps can drain an Olympic-size swimming pool in about a minute.

Hit the roof for picnics

Pack a picnic and laze around the grassy lawns of the barrage's Green Roof, which is bound to become a red-hot destination for visitors.

You are spoilt for a backdrop - take your pick of the Singapore Flyer, city skyline or open sea: The Benjamin Sheares Bridge and Kallang River are on your right, if you are facing the Flyer, and on clear days you can also see as far as Golden Mile Complex.

The rooftop lawn sits 13m above ground, giving unblocked views of Marina Bay, and is likely to be the next hot spot for people to watch the National Day Parade fireworks.

Views to your left are obscured at the moment by the heavy construction for the upcoming Marina Bay integrated resort. But come 2010, visitors to the barrage at night will be treated to the twinkling lights of the new IR and, by 2011, by the lush gardens of Gardens by the Bay.

But be sure to slap on some sunblock if you plan to go there in the afternoon - there is no shade to take cover from the sun.

Galleries galore

Six walk-through galleries on the second floor use interactive and multimedia installations to take you through Singapore's achievements in overcoming its water shortage problems.

Start at Gallery One, which has a feature wall made entirely of Newater bottles representing Singapore's successful efforts in becoming self-sufficient in water supply.

Gallery Two goes 20 years back in time. Through movable LCD screens and touchscreen e-books, visitors can see how Singapore evolved from a city with rubbish-filled rivers in the 1970s to its spruced-up state today.

Catch a glimpse of how waterways throughout Singapore will be revamped and beautified in Gallery Three.

This project is part of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme that was launched by PUB, the national water agency, last year.

In Gallery Four, a model demonstrates how the Marina Barrage works. It even has simulated rainfall to show how the dam operates when water levels in the reservoir get too high.

The last two galleries show land and space planning efforts and encourage visitors to use water responsibly.

Take pictures of yourself at the gallery using the e-postcard kiosk in Gallery Six and send it to your own e-mail account.

The galleries flow from one showcase to another, so sign up for a tour to get a better understanding of what is going on.

Free guided tours are available from 9am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays, but do note that the galleries are closed on Tuesdays, unless it is a public holiday. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the galleries are open from 11am to 7pm.

Tours can be booked at www.pub.gov.sg or call 6514-5959.

Quick bites, great view

You can enjoy a restful sea view along with a tasty bite at The Gallery Cafe on the second floor.

Those on a short visit can tuck into quick bites such as pastries and sandwiches - apple turnovers, for example, cost $2.50 - and there is regular coffee from $1.60 a cup.

As well, there are treats such as satay and waffles for those who want to linger a bit longer.

Buffet lunches at $12 will soon be available for office crowds who want a breather from the city during their midday break.

High tea will also be added to the cafe's weekend menu in two weeks to cater to leisurely sightseers.

After 5.30pm, the cafe becomes a chill-out music lounge bar serving alcohol.

Happy hour is from 5.30 to 8.30pm when a jug of Tiger draft beer goes for $18.90, 30 per cent cheaper than the usual rate. Food is similar to the day menu.

The 7th Storey restaurant on the ground floor will offer Hainan kitchen charcoal steamboat and cooked food with prices starting from $4 for an a la carte dish. Diners can enjoy either an open sea-front view or one of the city skyline.

The restaurant, originally in Rochor Road, will open in the middle of next month.