The Victoria Theater and Concert Hall will undergo $180 million worth of renovation as part of the cultural development program of the Singaporean government. The cost is estimated to be 30% that of Esplanade. Moreover, the government sets aside $115 million for similar projects aimed at making Singapore a global arts center. The two facilities will close in 2010 and will be reopened in 2013.
The arts community is not expecting such expensive projects given the poor state of the economy. However, Lui Tuck Yew, State for Information, Communications and the Arts’ Minister, assured that there is a budget for cultural development.
“I can assure stakeholders that the Government remains fully committed to this sector…We’ll work with them to help them weather the storm,” said Yew.
The renovation projects are part of a master plan to promote and develop cultural institutions in the vicinity of the Empress Place, including the reconstruction of City Hall, Supreme Court and the National Art Gallery, which is estimated to cost $320 million.
The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, which date back to the 19th century, were turned into national monuments in 1992. The concert hall was renovated in 1995 at a cost of $700,000. The makeover included an overhaul of the air-conditioning system and repainting of the interior. This was followed in 1996 by repair works and maintenance worth $6 million.