A Stage Afloat
 

The Marina Bay Floating Stadium in Singapore is the world's first and largest floating stage. It sits on the waters of the Marina Bay, beside Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Made entirely of steel, the floating stage measures 120 metres long and 83 metres wide, which is 5% larger than a soccer field. The stage can bear up to 1,070 tonnes, equivalent to the total weight of 9,000 people, 200 tonnes of stage props and three 30-tonne military vehicles. The gallery at the stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000 people.

Interestingly, this floating stadium was actually constructed as an interim venue in place of the old National Stadium, which will be demolished to make way for the Singapore Sports Hub expected to open in 2011.

The Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) conceptualised the design and managed the development of the floating stadium at the Marina Bay. Many considerations were taken into taken into account during the design phase for the construction of the floating stadium. The developer had to keep in mind not just its size and the load it could bear, but also make sure the structure can be relocated and reconfigured to meet the requirements of different events.

As a result, the platform is made of 15 smaller pontoons, each comprising hundreds of parts, which interlock like a jigsaw puzzle. These took one month to assemble. The connectors were designed to be light but robust. Six pylons fixed into the seabed act as the structure's foundation. Heavy-duty rubber rollers were used to gently guide the stage vertically to keep it from being rocked by tides and currents. Three linkways, which connect the floating stadium to the land, have special integrated joints to keep them steady.

The floating stadium also had to be aesthetically pleasing to fit the scenic backdrop of the belt of hotels in the Marina Bay precinct. The platform has been equipped with numerous innovative features, like an internal drainage system, cabling structures and lightning conductors. Construction of the floating stadium started in Mar 06, and took 13 months to build, and by Apr 07, the platform and seating gallery were completed.

This floating stadium is a venue for mega events on the waters of Marina Bay. These events may include sports, concerts, as well as arts and cultural performances. The first major event that was held at the Marina Bay Floating Stadium was Singapore’s National Day Parade (NDP) 2007. This was followed by many other events like the Singapore Fireworks Festival, as well as many other city races and marathons. Upcoming events include the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in Sep 08, as well as the inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.

Come 9 Aug 08, this floating stadium will be used for the Singapore’s National Day Parade 2008. With the celebrations taking place at the Marina Bay Floating Stadium, Esplanade’s waterfront is a choice spot for enjoying the celebratory mood and catching the parade’s exhilarating fireworks display.

In tandem with the celebration of nationhood, Esplanade has also programmed a lineup of exciting performances by home grown talents over the National Day weekend 8 – 10 Aug 08. The Waterfront and Outdoor Theatre will come alive with live performances and party music. Together with the National Day Parade celebrations on the adjacent Floating Stadium, Marina Bay will be transformed to a bay of celebrations!