Singapore's first urban beach to pop up at Marina Bay

Channel NewsAsia 6 May 15;

SINGAPORE: The Republic’s first pop-up urban beach will be appearing in the heart of Marina Bay next month, complete with a pool, palm trees and a beach bar, said DBS Bank on Wednesday (May 6).

The beach, measuring 50-by-50 metres, will also include a pool where activities such as stand-up paddling and yoga will take place, it added in the press release.

DBS said creating a man-made beach will be “no mean feat” - 28,000kg of sand will be brought in and that is expected to take up to 300 man-hours. The beach can hold up to about 250 people, together with 30 deck chairs and one beach bar.

“The sand will be laid onto a protective ground sheet that covers the entire area of the beach. A raised edge will help to contain the sand, and grass lining the perimeter of the beach will ensure that the sand remains within the beach’s boundaries,” the bank said.

Karen McGregor, Senior Vice President of Group Strategic Marketing and Communications at DBS said: “With this year being Singapore’s Jubilee year, and having the 28th SEA Games Traditional Boat (Dragon boat) and Sailing races take place in conjunction with the DBS Marina Regatta, we wanted to celebrate this landmark occasion by igniting the bay with even more transformative experiences.”

In addition to SEA Games Sailing races, the DBS Marina Regatta - an annual water sports festival - will also see an estimated 2,500 paddlers competing at across nine categories.

The beach will be located at The Promontory@Marina Bay from Jun 13 to 14.

- CNA/ct

Singapore's first-ever pop-up beach at Marina Bay
AsiaOne 6 May 15;

SINGAPORE - Visitors to Marina Bay in June will get to enjoy a pop-up urban beach complete with palm trees, deck chairs, and a beach bar.

The initiative by DBS Bank is part of the DBS Marina Regatta. Tapping on the growing trend of urban beaches across the world, DBS aims to transform Singapore's new financial district and to bring more people down to the bay to watch the 28th SEA Games races.

The beach will also serve to present a fun, relaxed yet innovative side of Singapore to SEA Games visitors.

Measuring 50 metres by 50 metres, the beach will be located at The Promontory@Marina Bay during the third weekend of the DBS Marina Regatta from June 13 to 14, 2015. The beach will also feature a 25m by 15m pool where a host of activities including stand-up paddling and stand-up yoga will take place.

Said Ms Karen McGregor, Senior Vice President of Group Strategic Marketing and Communications at DBS: "Urban beaches have proven to be a popular concept around the world, transforming urban landscapes in major cities such as Paris, Berlin, Prague, Brussels, and Toronto - and now Singapore.

"With this year being Singapore's jubilee year, and having the 28th SEA Games Traditional Boat (Dragon boat) and Sailing races take place in conjunction with the DBS Marina Regatta, we wanted to celebrate this landmark occasion by igniting the bay with even more transformative experiences.

"Ultimately, we want to ensure everyone has a good time at the regatta. The urban beach is just one of many exciting new possibilities and experiences that the DBS Marina Regatta is bringing to the bay this year."

A logistical feat

The task of creating a man-made beach in the heart of one of the world's leading financial centres will be no mean feat as organisers bring in 28,000kg of sand in an operation that is expected to take up to 300 man-hours.

The sand will be laid onto a protective ground sheet that covers the entire area of the beach. A raised edge will help to contain the sand, and grass lining the perimeter of the beach will ensure that the sand remains within the beach's boundaries.