New centre to foster Chinese culture

SINGAPORE - Home for the proposed Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre will be a new 10-storey building in Shenton Way, the heart of Singapore's Central Business District (CBD).

It will hold local Chinese cultural performances, art shows, talks and networking sessions between Chinese Singaporeans and new immigrants, particularly those from China.

Expected to be ready by the end of 2015, the rectangular building behind the Singapore Conference Hall will have an abstract design, with dancers-in-silhouette holding hands around it.

Mr Chua Thian Poh, president of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), said during the federation's annual general meeting last Saturday that it would be a place which the Chinese community could call its own.

He revealed that the building plan for the 5,074 sq m site, designed by DP Architects, has been finalised and he hoped construction can start by the middle of next year or earlier. Construction would cost more than $70 million.

SFCCA announced plans for the centre in January last year and it is getting strong support from the Government in both construction costs and operation expenses for at least the first three years.

Giving reasons for the support, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during last year's National Day Rally that Chinese culture is an important pillar of Singapore culture.

"It's an emotional anchor and moral compass for many Singaporeans. We should preserve our cultural roots lest we lose ourselves in this ever-changing world," he explained.

Mr Chua revealed that the new centre will have a 500-seat theatre and exhibition hall, a multi-purpose hall, rehearsal rooms and other facilities, including a library, in an interview with The Straits Times earlier this week.

At least the first three storeys of the building will be reserved for carpark spaces to accommodate at least 200 cars.

A 10-member governing board which Mr Chua chairs was set up recently to manage the new centre.

The members comprise other Chinese community leaders such as SFCCA's two vice-presidents Ho Kiau Seng and Zhong Sheng Jian, the federation's secretary-general Patrick Lee and his deputy Perng Peck Seng and two civil servants, including one from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

Four sub-committees, each headed by a board member, for programmes, building development, treasury and fund-raising have also been formed.

Heading the programmes sub-committee is Mr Perng, 62. He said: "The programmes will be aimed at raising standards and quality of Chinese cultural events and activities already carried out by SFCCA in the past.

"In addition, we wish to integrate the best of the Chinese cultures brought here by the new Chinese immigrants and see how they can be promoted in the community here."

Mr Chua said the centre will have to start its fund-raising campaign soon for the building as well as money to run its programmes.

wengkam@sph.com.sg

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.