demolition

When the venerable National Library - the original one at Stamford Road - was torn down, I was unhappy that our government would tear such a historic building down just to facilitate the construction of one stupid tunnel for traffic. The new tunnel barely makes any difference in the commuting time for people travelling along that stretch of road, but that wasn't the only reason I (and many other Singaporeans) were unhappy with the decision.

Most of the displeasure was simply because the government, once again, disregarded the value of the old National Library building. Not so much the economic value, of course, but rather the priceless memories that many had there.

Even while I disagreed the decision, however, I felt a little dispassionate about it all. This was mainly because I never had many memories of the place unlike some of the people a generation before me; in fact I only remember ever going there only once, with my mother when I was still a child.

However, something else has just been torn down, and this time, it's a place that's more personally significant.

The National Stadium at Kallang has been slated to be demolished and rebuilt as the Sports Hub since at least 2007, but for various reasons this has been delayed till now. Demolition work finally began a few weeks ago, but it didn't strike me till a while ago when I saw a friend's photos on Facebook.

Picture by Sandra

That's when it struck me - the National Stadium as I know it really is gone for good now. All the memories I had there - gone. The one National Day Parade I went to as a kid with my granny, the Youth Day Parade I participated in as part of the National Cadet Corps (Air) contingent one year, and of course the countless football matches I watched. Oh, the football - don't even get me started.

It's where I watched the national team play against Manchester United in 2001; against Uruguay when the South Americans were getting ready for the 2002 World Cup; where I witnessed the Lions lift their second Tiger Cup (now AFF Cup) in 2004; and where I almost got into a fight with an obnoxious mainland Chinese fella during a match between Singapore and China (full story on that last one here).

Yes, I definitely have a lot of memories of the National Stadium. That's why it pained me a little to see it that way, although I realise it's for the best and that the Sports Hub (eugh, why must everything be a Hub this, that or the other?) will have far more advanced facilities for the betterment of the local sports scene.

So that's that, then. Fare thee well, Old Lady of Kallang. Let's hope your successor will see many more moments of glory for Singapore and Singaporean sportsmen.