In Oct. 30, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed at the Appreciation Dinner for the 50th year anniversary of National Service in Singapore, that the Marina Bay’s floating platform is set for a revamp as it will serve as the main area to commemorate the legacy of National Service (NS) in the country. The area’s redevelopment will bear recognition of its new name as the NS Square, which will be the primary venue for the annual National Day Parade.
According to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the NS Square’s establishment in one of the country’s prime locations such as the Marina Bay signifies the enduring and significant role which National Service plays in every Singaporean’s life.
The Floating Platform at Marina Bay will become a commemorative space for National Service
The floating platform will see expansion to create a more open and accessible space as well as a bigger seating capacity to draw in more participants to the annual parade. Mr Lee shared that there will be a gallery just below the grandstand especially built to feature the milestones of the country’s National Service program and to honour the great achievements and contributions of different generations of National Servicemen in Singapore. Mr Lee hopes that the gallery will motivate the succeeding generations of NSmen to step up to the plate and carry the torch with great pride.
Aside from being the main venue for the National Day Parade, the redesigned Marina Bay floating platform or “The Float” could also be used to host some of the city’s public events such as local art shows and concerts, weekend bazaars, and the River HongBao celebration held during the Chinese New Year.
The Float at the Marina Bay was created as a temporary stage for the National Day Parade back in 2007 since the National Stadium was under construction at that time.