Singapore Oceanarium – an expansion and rebranding from the former S.E.A. Aquarium at Singapore casino complex Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) – will be open to the public on July 23, said the proeprty’s promoter in a Monday press release.
Singapore Oceanarium, said to be three times larger than its predecessor, will have 22 themed zones (example pictured in an artist’s rendering), according to the release.
Resorts World Sentosa, run and promoted by Genting Singapore Ltd, is one half of the city-state’s casino duopoly.
Tan Hee Teck, Resorts World Sentosa’s chief executive, was cited as saying regarding the new-look non-gaming facility: “Singapore Oceanarium represents the next frontier for marine education and sustainability.”
A new “Research and Learning Centre”, next to Singapore Oceanarium, will support marine research and conservation, the release said.
Lam Xue Ying, vice president of Singapore Oceanarium, was cited as saying in Monday’s update: “This transformation from S.E.A. Aquarium to a purpose-driven institute has been years in the making.
“We are dedicated to inspiring a new generation of ocean stewards by taking ocean education and interactive storytelling to the next level, through naturalistic habitats and immersive technology,” added the facility’s vice president.
Genting Singapore has said it will launch new attractions at Resorts World Sentosa in the second half of this year, as part of an expansion project known as RWS 2.0. The company’s board approved a total investment of about SGD6.80 billion (US$5.3 billion) to upgrade and expand the casino complex.
The group opened on February 14 a new themed zone, called “Illumination’s Minion Land”, at the Universal Studios Singapore theme park, one of Resorts World Sentosa’s main non-gaming attractions.
A revamped retail area, dubbed “WEAVE”, is also due to open in the second half, according to the company.
Genting Singapore is scheduled to launch the 183-room The Laurus hotel, part of The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts stable, in the third quarter of this year.