%2c_The_Float_%40_Marina_Bay_and_Bay_Grandstand_--_2019_--_4713.jpg) The Float at Marina Bay in 2019. | |
 | |
| Full name | The Float@Marina Bay |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039805 |
| Location | Marina Bay,Central Region,Singapore |
| Coordinates | 1°17′18″N103°51′32″E / 1.28833°N 103.85889°E /1.28833; 103.85889 |
| Public transit | CC4 DT15 Promenade |
| Owner | Sport Singapore |
| Operator | Sport Singapore |
| Capacity | 27,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | March 2006; 19 years ago (2006-03) |
| Opened | 20 May 2007; 17 years ago (2007-05-20) |
| Closed | March 2023; 2 years ago (2023-03) |
| Demolished | March 2023; 2 years ago (2023-03) |
| Rebuilt | 2027; 2 years' time (2027) (asNS Square) |
| Architect | Defence Science and Technology Agency |
| Tenants | |
| Sport Singapore | |
The Float at Marina Bay, stylised asThe Float@Marina Bay and also known as theMarina Bay Floating Platform, was a multi-purpose outdoor venue at theDowntown Core area ofMarina Bay, Singapore. The venue consists of a 120 by 83 m (394 by 272 feet) steel platform in theMarina Reservoir, and a 27,000-seatgrandstand along the shore. The floating platform can bear up to 1,070tonnes, equivalent to the total weight of 9,000 people, 200 tonnes ofstage props and three 30-tonnemilitary vehicles.[1][2][3]
The Float was built in 2007 as an interim venue for events usually held at theNational Stadium inKallang while it was being rebuilt as part of theSingapore Sports Hub project—including sporting events (such asfootball),[4] concerts, arts and cultural performances, and festivities such as theNational Day Parade (NDP). It formed part of theMarina Bay Street Circuit that hostsFormula One'sSingapore Grand Prix, and hosted the ceremonies of the inaugural2010 Summer Youth Olympics. Since 2010, The Float has hosted the graduation parade for full-timeNational Servicemen who had completed theirbasic military training.[5] The Float has also hostedNew Year's Eve andLunar New Year events.
The Float was initially intended as a temporary venue, but the NDP was only held at the new National Stadium once in 2016 — a decision that received mixed reception for its different atmosphere, and increased costs of the event over those held at The Float. In 2017, it was announced that The Float would remain the primary venue for the NDP (outside of those held atthe Padang every five years), and that The Float will be demolished, reconstructed and renamed to a permanent venue known asNS Square—which will expand upon The Float with a capacity for 30,000 including a multi-purpose space for community activities, as well as a museum devoted to the national service of the country. Designed by the localWOHA Architects, demolition of The Float began in 2023, with completion of NS Square expected in 2027.[6][7][8][9]
As the former National Stadium at Kallang would be demolished to build the Singapore Sports Hub, a new venue for NDP was needed and it has to be in the central area of Singapore, it also decided to create a floating platform for the NDP and use Marina Bay as a venue. The floating platform would have the cityskyline as a backdrop for the parade. As the new National Stadium and Singapore Sports Hub were planned to be constructed over eight years with the floating platform hosting the NDP in the interim, it was determined by the government that the platform was acost effective solution.[3][10]
In 2005, the organising committee worked with theUrban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and theSingapore Sports Council on the design of the floating platform to be used for NDP and also other major events.[10] In March 2006,Sembcorp Marine[2][11] started construction of the floating platform after the design was approved. By April 2007, the platform and seatinggallery were completed and officially opened by Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong. However, it was the last stadium to be built underLee Kuan Yew's time.[10]
The Float was originally intended to operate through 2012, after which it was to be dismantled. In 2017, it was announced that The Float would be expanded and redeveloped as a permanent venue known asNS Square.[12] It will be a similar floating structure but with more facilities and a museum devoted to thenational service.[13]
It is slated to have a seating capacity of about 30,000. In the second quarter of 2020, it is estimated a design proposal will be chosen for implementation.[7] The proposal is expected to include a field that can be converted into a performance area, a waterfront sports facility, and a space for common exercise consisting of an unenclosed hall and studio spaces.[7] It will be designed by the localWOHA Architects, with construction beginning in March 2022 and an expected completion in 2025.[6]
In 2022, Defence MinisterNg Eng Hen announced that the original plans to construct NS Square was delayed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 National Day Parade was also held at the Float. The facility will now be completed in 2027, with construction having begun in March 2024.[8][9]
The main considerations for the platform's chief planner and developer,Defence Science and Technology Agency, were the size of the platform, the load it could bear and also reconfigurability of the platform for various requirements of different events.[2]
The platform is made of small platforms ofpontoons with each comprising hundreds of parts. Initial design requires 200 such pontoons but a system of connectors between the pontoons reduced it to 15. The pontoons would interlock each other similar to ajigsaw puzzle. The connectors were designed to be light but strong. The platform took one month to be assembled.[2]
The platform's foundation consisted of six pylons fixed to the seabead to hold it in place while rubber rollers were used to stabilise the platform as the platform is affected by the tides and currents in Marina Bay. The platform was connected to land by three linkways and there are special integrated joints for the linkways keep them from rocking.[2]
To fit in the city skyline as a backdrop of platform, the seating gallery's height was restricted. Due to existing buildings and the area's development plans, the number of seats for the gallery was capped at 27,000. The platform also has an internaldrainage system, cabling structures andlightning rods.[2]
Since its completion in 2007, the Marina Bay Floating Platform has hosted several major events, such the annual National Day Parade, New Year's Eve countdown event,2010 Summer Youth Olympics and theFIA Formula One World Championship. The first major event that was held at the floating stadium is the National Day Parade in 2007.[14] This was followed by theSingapore Fireworks Celebrations held on 17 and 18 August 2007.[15] On 25 August 2007, the stadium was used to launch the six-week-long Waterfest Singapore 2007, which showcasesstunts and performances by awater ski team andwakeboard professionals.[16] On 2 September 2007, the platform was the start and finish point for theAvivaIronman 70.3 Singaporetriathlon.[3][17]
From 15 September 2007 to 16 April 2008, The Float was closed forFormula One works in preparation for theSingapore Grand Prix in September 2008. In November 2008, TheSingapore Cup final betweenSAFFC andWoodlands Wellington FC was supposed to take place at the stadium. However, problems relating to the metal beams casting a shadow on the pitch forced the match to be played at theJalan Besar Stadium instead. The first football match to be played on the platform was an ESPZEN Sunday League Division 1 match between Tuan Gemuk Athletic and VNNTU FC.[18]
In December 2007, URA considered letting the public access the gallery view the New Year's fireworks at Marina Bay. From 2009 to 2015, the floating platform is used for countdown parties.[citation needed]
In August 2010, The Float hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the inaugural2010 Summer Youth Olympics. On 2 October 2010, the stadium became the first public venue for the graduation parade of the recruits from theSingapore Armed ForcesBasic Military Training Centre. Previously, the graduation parade was held onPulau Tekong itself.[5] Since then, the stadium has been a venue for the graduation parade, alternating with theNational Stadium.[19]
On 23 November 2012,SM Entertainment artists includingKangta,BoA,TVXQ,Super Junior,Girls' Generation,Shinee,f(x), andEXO performed to a crowd of 18,000 fans as part of theirSM Town Live World Tour III concert.[20]
TheSingapore National Day Parade (NDP) has been held at The Float since 2007, except in years it is held atthe Padang (every five years beginning in 2010, and in 2019 for the bicentennial of the founding of modern Singapore), in 2016, when it was held at thenew National Stadium, and in 2020, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[21][22][23] The parade was last held on The Float in 2022, with its demolition beginning in March 2023.
%2c_The_Float_%40_Marina_Bay_--_2019_--_4460.jpg)
%2c_Bay_Grandstand_--_2019_--_4495.jpg)
%2c_The_Float_%40_Marina_Bay_and_Bay_Grandstand_--_2019_--_4546.jpg)
| None | Summer Youth Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies 2010 | Succeeded by |
| Standing |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Demolished | ||
Authority control databases: Geographic |
|---|