An in-depth heritage study of one of Singapore’s rare and historical gems – the 79-year-old Haw Par Villa – will soon be under way.

The National Heritage Board (NHB) has called a tender to study the park’s some 1,000 Technicolor sculptures, dioramas and architectural features in detail.

It is likely to span about eight months and will start after the contract is awarded.

The focus of the tender, which closed last week, is to determine the condition of the sculptures and study the materials and paint colours used, “with the aim of restoring them as close as possible to their original form”.

The study could lead to greater protection of the site and its artefacts, which reflect elements of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian folklore.

As it has been primarily managed as a tourist attraction, its value as a heritage site has been somewhat neglected.

Its owners, the Aw family, had handed the park to the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) predecessor, in 1979. Then, it changed hands in the 1980s and was run as a theme park in the 1990s. It was returned to the STB in 2001.

In response to queries, STB said it recognises the significance and heritage of Haw Par Villa, hence the partnership with NHB. The joint statement from STB and NHB also said the findings of the project will guide the long-term refurbishment and repair of the park.

Singapore Heritage Society’s executive committee member, Yeo Kang Shua, said the need to identify the restoration and conservation work required for the statues is especially urgent as the park’s sole painter, Teo Veoh Seng, is already in his 80s.

Built by the Myanmar-Chinese Aw brothers, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, of the Tiger Balm ointment fame, Haw Par Villa has been billed as a unique Chinese cultural resource.

Among some of the folklore on display: the stories of the Eight Immortals, Journey To The West and The Legend Of Lady White Snake.

The park is also the last local philanthropic gardens built to provide breathing space to people in congested Singapore.

Experts said Haw Par Villa plays a vital role locally and regionally in depicting aspects of overseas Chinese culture.

Some also believe it has the potential to become a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The contractor that wins the NHB tender will also have to develop a management plan to “guide the long-term maintenance and upkeep of the heritage features” in five-year maintenance cycles.

Four suppliers have responded to the NHB tender so far, namely Andes Consulting, Art Logica, Studio Lapis and Tenon Construction, which have placed bids ranging from $88,800 to $239,000.

The site is currently managed by tour operator Journeys, which was appointed by the STB last year.

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MINISTER for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu reiterated yesterday that the decision to not have live telecasts of the sporting action at the upcoming Olympics remains a commercial one.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the GetActive! Singapore launch at the Padang, she said: “That’s something for the rights owner as well as the broadcasters to decide – it’s a commercial decision.”

The Straits Times reported last week that the Government is unlikely to provide additional funding to secure live broadcast rights to the Aug 5-21 Games, with a spokesman saying “the acquisition of rights for live sports content will remain a commercial decision”.

Mediacorp, the national broadcaster, and Olympics broadcast rights holder Dentsu have struck a deal for only delayed telecasts this time.

But Ms Fu insisted that this would not dampen the celebratory mood of the nation if Singapore’s athletes win a medal in Rio.

Referring to last year’s SEA Games on home soil, she said: “When the major sports are happening in Singapore, obviously the whole country is very excited.

“This time, the Olympics is important for us, with so many of our athletes training very hard. But it’s 30 hours away and the time zone is a bit different.

“So I think that while Singaporeans are still very concerned and interested in the performance of our athletes, I’m sure many of them will try to catch up and watch the Games at a later time.”

Yesterday’s launch, which saw an estimated 10,000 people in attendance, is part of a nine-day sports festival leading to National Day.

Under the GetActive! Singapore movement, sports centres and public spaces around the island will feature 21 sports for the ongoing Singapore National Games, which conclude on Sunday. More than 240 ground-up initiatives will also take place under the Active Enabler programme.

Sports festivals will also take place this weekend at 15 ActiveSG sports centres and three community fields in Tampines, Woodlands and Jurong East.

cnicole@sph.com.sg

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