The Marina Bay floating platform will be renamed NS Square.

It will be redeveloped into a permanent space to commemorate National Service (NS) and be used as the primary venue for the National Day Parade (NDP).

This was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the NS50 dinner reception on Monday, Oct. 30, attended by more than 1,500 guests to mark 50 years of National Service.

To honour those who served NS

The space below the grandstand will be converted into a “purpose-built” gallery to showcase Singapore’s NS journey and highlight the contributions of generations of National Servicemen.

PM Lee said that since 1967, more than one million Singaporeans have served NS in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and in the Home Team.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), he said, have contributed by continuing to keep Singaporeans safe from terrorist threats.

PM Lee said: “We will extend the platform to open up a larger and more accessible space, and increase the current seating capacity so that more Singaporeans can join in the parade.”

Apart from hosting National Day parades, the revamped floating platform could also be used for regular community events like arts performances, weekend markets and the River Hongbao celebration during Chinese New Year.

Built in 2007 for temporary use

The platform, also known as The Float @ Marina Bay, was built in 2007 as a temporary stage.

The National Stadium was torn down and rebuilt then.

Top photo via Wikimedia