Resorts World began construction of a new vehicular bridge, linking Sentosa with mainland Singapore, to ease traffic for the visitors to the mega resort in 2010. The bridge building contract was awarded to Australia-based engineering and construction, McConnell Dowell. The bridge is slated to complete in June 2009.
On-site, Universal Studios Singapore® is taking shape with the erection of the 7-storey steel frame for The Revenge of the Mummy. The thrilling indoor dark ride with a replica facade of ancient Egypt is an all-time favourite with theme-park goers.
A new face for its website with more user-friendly navigation was launched.
At the same time, three other versions of the website, in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Japanese were also launched.
A construction milestone was scaled with the opening of the new Gateway Avenue, which is the main thoroughfare to mainland Singapore. Designed and built for traffic growth, the road will route motorists in and out of the resort’s 4,000- lot car park in early 2010.
The closure of the old Gateway Avenue marks the beginning of construction of Universal Studios Singapore® site.
Resorts World completed the S$4 billion credit syndication for its resort development, amounting to two-thirds of its S$6 billion project cost. One of the largest loan syndications in Singapore, five local and international banks underwrote, bookrun and arranged the syndication of the loan.
In the same month, Resorts World awarded its largest superstructure construction contract to a joint venture between Japanese contractor Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd and the local Tiong Seng Contractors (Pte) Ltd. The contract is worth over S$1 billion. The company will be responsible for the superstructure development of the resort’s central zone, which sites Hotel Michael, Maxims Residences, Festive Hotel, the casino and FestiveWalk.
Resorts World launched its multi-million dollar RWS Marine Life Fund and at the same time, announced its “No Shark Fin” policy on menus across the resort’s premises. The fund was tailored to nurture marine life studies among budding marine researchers, as well as marine conservationists and scientists for research and education endeavours.
On the construction front, a landmark moment was achieved with the casting of the wall on the first level of Maxims Residences. The building is the first superstructure to emerge from the ground.
Resorts World’s five- storey, temporary office at 39 Artillery Avenue was staffed with 99 staff when the office was opened in July 2007. A year later, the number had exceeded 200. The rapid pace mirrors the speed of the development. With corporate functions in place, RWS has moved into building up its back-of-house operations that will be critical for smooth operations. Resorts World should have more than 8,000 staff when it opens in 2010.
Work on Universal Studios Singapore® began after a S$705 million contract was awarded to Chinese construction giant, China Jingye Engineering Corp Ltd (Singapore Branch). The company is part of one of China’s biggest construction conglomerate MCC land, most notably involved in the building of the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest. China Jingye is overseeing the construction of the infrastructure, facades, and coordination of ride installations in Universal Studios Singapore®.
Meanwhile, the Projects Department -- the largest in Resorts World -- moved to a temporary on-site office on 19 July. It was the first department to set up office at the Resorts World site. As opening day in 2010 approaches, more departments now housed at the temporary office at 39 Artillery Avenue will follow suit.
Four tunnels leading to Resorts World's underground car parks were completed. Each tunnel is tall enough to take a double-decker bus. During the construction phase, the tunnels will be used as access routes by vehicles and workers to the work site.
A red "globe" logo for Resorts World is unveiled, along with a catchy tagline "A million moments. One world". The new look is set to connect Resorts World with its guests and form part of a branding strategy that spearheads the mega resort's efforts to introduce itself to a global audience.
The first attraction at Universal Studios Singapore® took shape with the completed outline of the building that will house the Revenge of the Mummy thrill ride. Steel frames for the building that will eventually house the attraction have become a landmark on the USS site.
In the same month, Resorts World flashed on the radar screens of fans of the block buster movie Transformers when it announced that it will be home to the world’s first Transformers theme park attraction in 2011. The attraction will be one of 24 attractions at Universal Studios Singapore®.
Resorts World launched its inaugural aRWSome Kids' Date, a yearly event set to raise funds for underprivileged children. This year, the event was a family friendly movie, complete with breakfast and snacks, for around 300 children under the Community Chest Service Centres. Also, a total of S$25, 000 was raised for the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
The close of another year brings us just over one calendar year away from our opening day. We hope you'll join us on our journey during the build-up phase of the mega resort. Many new developments are in store in the coming year.