Growing up and marrying at the Big Splash

In 1985, Mr Kee Ah Lam married Madam Ang Ah Keok at The Seafood International Market & Restaurant, where he works as a purchasing manager.

Last year, the elder of their two sons, Mr Kee Yong Ming, married his wife Connie Lee at the same restaurant.

Accountant Yong Ming, 30, says: "Big Splash has been a big part of my life. My father was already working there when I was born. As a child, I visited the water theme park and had many fond memories there.

"You can also see the sea from the restaurant. When it was time to choose a location for my wedding, it was my first choice."

In 1983, his father started work at the restaurant as a storeman. Two years later, he married Madam Ang, who handles quality control in a factory.

Looking at his wedding photos, Mr Kee says: "See the flared trousers I was wearing? In those days, such trousers were very fashionable.

"I chose the restaurant because I worked there. Why would I want the best day of my life to be anywhere else?"

He adds: "Having your wedding dinner at a restaurant was also cheaper than at a hotel."

A year after the wedding, he left to work in the construction industry. But three years later, he returned to work in the restaurant and has not left since.

He says: "I realised that working in a restaurant was my true calling."

Yong Ming recalls that although his father worked at Big Splash, his family visited the attraction only a few times a year, due to his father's busy schedule and the fact that it was not easily accessible by public transport.

But when they played there, Yong Ming says, "we really enjoyed going down the slides, playing in the pool and eating at the KFC outlet".

"Those are among my best memories," he adds.

Nowadays, he visits Big Splash every one or two months - usually with his wife - to eat at the restaurant.

"I have grown up with Big Splash and seen it evolve over the years. It will be sad to see it go."

This article was first published on July 24, 2016.
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