Straits Times 13 May 10;
VISITORS to MacRitchie Reservoir Park will be able to walk on water - literally - from next year.
A submerged boardwalk will be built that will connect one bank of the reservoir to another as part of the second phase of an extensive makeover of the park.
As part of the revamp, a hilltop food and beverage outlet and a facility allowing parkgoers to indulge in canoeing and kayaking will also be built.
The second phase of the makeover will cost $4.6 million, and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.
Phase One of the revamp for the 143-year-old reservoir, which began in February 2007 and included a multi-storey carpark and an amenities centre with toilet and shower facilities, was completed in July last year. It cost $5 million.
The new boardwalk will allow visitors to cross the reservoir by walking in ankle-deep water.
While walking across, they will be able to get close to the reservoir's flora and fauna.
PUB, the national water agency, hopes that visitors will come away from the experience with a renewed understanding of the value of clean water.
Its catchment and waterways director, Mr Tan Nguan Sen, said the parts for the bridge will be fabricated off-site and put together on-site to 'minimise disturbance to the reservoir bed'.
'A monitoring regime will also be put in place to ensure water quality is not affected,' he said.
The MacRitchie Reservoir revamp will also give the familiar bandstand in the middle a new look.
Internal roads and footpaths in the park will also be spruced up.
The revamp is part of the PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme, which aims to freshen up the country's reservoirs and rivers and turn them into recreation spaces.
To ensure safety and minimise inconvenience to the public, the construction work will be carried out in stages.
Work on the boardwalk will begin first, with construction set to start on May 24.
Walk on water at MacRitchie Reservoir's new submerged broadwalk
Mustafa Shafawi Channel NewsAsia 12 May 10;
SINGAPORE: Visitors to MacRitchie Reservoir will soon be able to walk on water - at a new submerged boardwalk.
National water agency, PUB, says the 40-metre long submerged boardwalk extends from one bank of the reservoir to another.
Visitors will be able to walk through shallow waters to see water plants growing alongside the boardwalk and be in close contact with tadpoles, fish, snails and other aquatic life.
Water plants will be introduced as they help to purify rainwater before it flows into the reservoir.
Visitors can also look forward to a new F&B outlet at the hilltop.
Several improvements will be made to the bandstand, internal roads and footpaths.
A new building will also be constructed at the current Paddle Lodge to cater for the public and schools for their canoe and kayaking activities.
They're part of phase two improvement works at the reservoir park, costing some 4.5 million dollars.
Work is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.
The project is part of PUB's long-term initiative known as the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme.
- CNA/jy
Walk on water ... at MacRitchie
Today Online 13 May 10;
SINGAPORE - Visitors to MacRitchie Reservoir will soon be able to walk on water - on a submerged boardwalk.
The 40-m-long boardwalk will extend from one bank of the reservoir to another, according to national water agency PUB.
Visitors will be able to walk through shallow water and see water plants growing along the boardwalk and be in close contact with tadpoles, fish, snails and other aquatic life.
Water plants will be grown as they help to purify rainwater before it flows into the reservoir.
Visitors can also look forward to a new food and beverage outlet at the hilltop.
Several improvements will be made to the bandstand, internal roads and footpaths.
A new building will also be constructed at the current Paddle Lodge to cater to the public and schools that pursue canoe and kayaking activities.
These are part of the Phase II improvement works at the reservoir park, which will cost about $4.5 million. Work is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.
"We hope that, with these improvements, visitors will enjoy the crown jewel of our reservoirs even more by appreciating and getting close to water," said Mr Tan Nguan Sen, PUB's Catchment and Waterways director.
The project is part of the PUB's long-term initiative known as the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme.
More makeover magic for MacRitchie
PUB Media Release 12 May 10;
Phase Two of the redevelopment works to MacRitchie Reservoir promises visitors a closer encounter with water.
Visitors to MacRitchie Reservoir will soon be able to walk on water - at a new submerged boardwalk at MacRitchie Reservoir. Phase Two of the redevelopment work to the much-loved reservoir park will start in May 2010 and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.
The highlight of the improvement works to improve visitors’ experience at the reservoir is a 40m long submerged boardwalk which extends from one bank of the reservoir to another. Visitors will be offered a charming experience of walking through shallow waters to see water plants growing alongside the boardwalk and be in close contact with tadpoles, fish, snails and other aquatic life. Water plants will be introduced as they help to purify rainwater before it flows into the reservoir.
Visitors can also look forward to a new F&B outlet at the hilltop where they can take in the scenery while enjoying a meal. In addition, several improvements will be made to the bandstand, internal roads and footpaths. A new building will also be constructed at the current Paddle Lodge to cater for the public and schools for their canoe and kayaking activities.
“Phase Two of the improvement works comes hot on the heels of the Phase One makeover, which offers visitors an enhanced experience with nature from the onset. We hope that with these further improvements, visitors will get to enjoy the crown jewel of our reservoirs even more by appreciating and getting close to water,” said Mr Tan Nguan Sen, PUB’s Catchment and Waterways Director.
The Phase One makeover saw the addition of a new multi-storey car park with ABC Waters features, an amenities centre and an improved floating pontoon to MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
PUB, the national water agency has awarded the public tender for Phase Two works to Hon Industries Pte Ltd at $4,555,000.00. The project is part of PUB’s long-term initiative known as the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme.
This programme will transform our network of drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes that are well integrated with surrounding parks and green space. The projects will create new community and recreational spaces and focal points, enhance our quality of living and the value of our homes, and ultimately help to realise our vision of a “City of Gardens and Water”.
About PUB
PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It is the national water agency managing Singapore’s water supply, water catchment and used water in an integrated way. PUB won the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award and was named Water Agency of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2006.
About PUB’s tagline: Water for All: Conserve, Value, Enjoy
PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with the Four National Taps (local catchment water, imported water, NEWater, desalinated water).
To provide water for all, PUB calls on all Singaporeans to play our part to conserve water, keep our water catchments and waterways clean and build a relationship with water so we can enjoy our water resources. We can then have enough water for all uses – for industry, for living, for life.