Sentosa gears up for three year refurbishment effort

By Patricia Wee Singapore Plans are underway to make the Sentosa island resort more appealing to the CEI market. By July 2004, two permanent purpose-built structures along Siloso Beach will facilitate setting up private parties on the sand. "In the past, every event held on Sentosa's beaches had to factor in the cost, time and effort of setting up and tearing down tents. Each new structure can comfortably accommodate events of up to 450 in the event of inclement weather," said Sentosa Leisure Group communications director Corinna Cox. "Sentosa's new and fully geared up food and beverage division, variety of great outdoor venues, coupled with more than 600 rooms on the island reinforce the aim to be a turn-key, one-stop solutions provider for CEI groups," she added. Corporate adventure training and teambuilding provider Focus Adventure now operates on Sentosa. By March 2004, a new 100m-tall observation tower — Sky Tower — will open next to the Cable Car Arrival Plaza. Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort will soon open a trapeze school next to its new al fresco Italian restaurant on Siloso Beach. By July 2004, the revamped 37m-tall Merlion and upgraded Fort Siloso experience incorporating the Surrender Chambers story will be complete. An upgraded Siloso Beach, with amenities and facilities costing US$11.8m, will be fully completed by December end. Images of Singapore museum, which closes in July 2004 for refurbishment, will open in mid-2005 with a new name. The US$82.3m Sentosa Express rail system is set to be completed by 2006, providing access into the island fromSingapore. By 2007, Pontiac Land's Millenia Hotel will build a US$88.2m six-star boutique resort in the island's green zone; designed by internationally acclaimed architectural firm Foster and Partners of Sir Norman Foster fame.