Big Splash, Singapore
Big Splash was a former waterpark located at East Coast Park in Singapore that operated between 1977 and 2006. It was later redeveloped into a dining and recreation area named Playground @ Big Splash, which opened in 2008. The site was demolished in 2017.
| Big Splash | |
|---|---|
| Location | East Coast Park, Singapore |
| Coordinates | 1.297152°N 103.899695°E |
| Opened | July 23, 1977 |
| Closed | July 22, 2016 |
| Pools | 1977–2006: 5 pools |
| Water slides | 1977–2006: 5 water slides |
| Children's areas | 1977–2006: 1 children's areas |
| Website | www |
History
Big Splash was built in 1977 by Singapore Aquatic Sports Pte Ltd (owned by Goldhill Properties) on a 2.8-hectare site of the reclaimed land in the new East Coast Park. It was a project of the Parks and Recreation Department of the Ministry of National Development, and built at the cost of S$6 million.
The waterpark featured an 85-metre long water slide, said at the time to be the longest and highest in the world. There was several other pools, including a wave-pool and a 200 m long flow-pool, as well as facilities such as an open-air theatre, a restaurant and food kiosks, and an arcade.[1]
The park opened on 23 July 1977 at 8 a.m. All 5 of the pools in the complex were filled with sea water and had a sand bottom to create the impression of a beach. The largest pool (at the base of the 85-metre slide) was reported to be able to accommodate 1,380 people. Admission fees were $1.50 for adults and $1.00 for children for the first two hours on weekdays, with a subsequent fee of $0.50 for every subsequent two hours; on weekends the admission fees were $2.00 for adults and $1.50 for children for the first two hours and $1 and $0.50 respectively for every subsequent two hours.[1] The air-conditioned restaurant was said to have pioneered the 'tank to table' concept of serving seafood.[2]
From 1986 until at least 2002, Big Splash was owned by Potential Investments Pte Ltd.[2]
Although Big Splash was initially very popular, over the decades it declined and became less attractive. In 2002, it was closed for a four-month facelift, reopening with new facilities such as a dive school and a bicycle kiosk.[2] In 2006 it closed for major redevelopment. When it reopened as Playground @ Big Splash in March 2008, the water slides and pools were gone and the entire compound had been redeveloped into a dining and lifestyle destination.[3] It was home to a range of dining options, from fast food outlets and casual cafes to upmarket restaurants and bars, as well as an inline skating school, mini-golf course, gym and other amenities.[4]
In July 2016 it was announced that Playground @ Big Splash will close in October 2016. The last day of operations was 21 October 2016. The site lease had expired and was returned to the government for redevelopment.[5] Its structures was later demolished in 2017 while its iconic tower was preserved for upcoming future recreational developments.[6]
In March 2021, the Coastal PlayGrove was completed on the former site of Big Splash and was officially opened on 28 March 2021.[7]
External links
References
- Yeo, Joseph (17 July 1977). "$6 million splash..." The Straits Times. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- Lee, Ching Wern (30 November 2002). "Big Splash 2". TODAY. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- Ansar, Asif (7 March 2008). "Remaking a big splash". TODAY. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- "Big Splash > About Us". The Seafood International Market & Restaurant Pte Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- hermes (24 July 2016). "Bye bye, Big Splash: 40-year-old landmark will disappear for good in October". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- hermesauto (29 July 2017). "East Coast Park to be upgraded with more open spaces and amenities". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- "Former Big Splash site opens as 4.5-hectare Coastal PlayGrove with tallest outdoor play area in S'pore". mothership.sg. Retrieved 12 June 2021.