MacRitchie makeover done

Phase 1 ready with two-storey carpark; amenities centre and food kiosk yet to open
Jamie Ee Wen Wei, Straits Times 31 May 09;

The long wait is over for nature lovers and fitness buffs who need their 'fix' at MacRitchie Reservoir Park.

Phase One of a $5 million spruce-up is ready, complete with a new two-storey carpark with 300 parking spaces.

The makeover began in early 2007 but work at the 12ha park came to a halt in January last year when the contractor, Wacon Construction & Trading, went bust.

A new tender was called and Swee Builders took over the project in May last year.

The new carpark has 110 more parking spaces than what were available in three open-air carparks previously.

Businessman Eric Tay, 56, who jogs at the park thrice a week, said: 'I have been looking forward to the new facilities. It is much easier to find a parking space now.'

Other new features include an amenities centre with toilet and shower facilities, as well as a food kiosk. The centre is not open yet.

A spokesman for PUB, the national water agency, said Phase Two will begin in July and is expected to be completed at the end of next year.

New features to be added to the park in this phase will be announced in late July during an event to celebrate the completion of Phase One.

The National Parks Board and the PUB are behind the extensive upgrading of the 42-year-old park.

It is part of PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters programme to freshen up the country's reservoirs and rivers.

While regular visitors welcomed the changes at MacRitchie, they wondered whether parking fees would be imposed soon, as open-air parking used to be free. They pointed to what looked like paid parking barrier arms being put up at the carpark entrance.

PUB could not confirm whether paid parking was imminent but said parking would be free for now.

Regular jogger C.Y. Tin, a 34-year-old relationship manager, said: 'The authorities have been promoting healthy living and we are responding by coming here to exercise. We should not be charged for parking here.'