Postcards from Seletar

As reported by Channel News Asia

Companies express interest to build aviation centre at Seletar
By Cheow Xinyi/Ryan Huang, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 31 October 2009

Even before a tender is called, companies have expressed interest in building the General Aviation Centre at the upcoming Seletar Aerospace Park (SAP), according to JTC Corporation.

The centre will house hangars on a 2.6-hectare plot of land, and the tender is expected to be called some time next year.

JTC announced this at the groundbreaking ceremony for helicopter maker Eurocopter’s new facilities in Seletar, costing S$15 million.

Eurocopter announced in June its move from Loyang to Seletar for its South-east Asian base. It is expected to move into its new base by the fourth quarter of 2010.

It said that the timing for the project is perfect with the upswing in the economy.

Dr Bernhard Brenner, president, Eurocopter (Southeast Asia), said: “We had some cancellations in the first six months of 2009 which was quite complicated, but since June we really feel that things are improving, that the market is taking on.

“We have stronger demand for new projects, we think we will have a bright future.”

Ex-resident Ken is making a pilgrimage to Seletar in November and is looking for information on the Oval and Lancaster Gate – can you help? Just post a comment in response to his questions here and here. Thanks!

Today in the Straits Times

When the projects are completed in a few years, Rolls-Royce, which now employs about 1,400 people here, will increase its head count to 2,000, its regional director, Singapore, Mr Jonathan Asherson told The Straits Times on Tuesday.

Still a long way to the 10,000 ‘new jobs’ EDB promised when it embarked on the Seletar Aerospace Hub/Park programme…

As reported by Ven Sreenivasan in Business Times on June 4th, 2009

Redevelopment of the 300-hectare Seletar Aerospace Park is on schedule despite a slump in the global aviation industry. JTC Corp’s CEO Ow Foong Pheng said the developers of the aerospace park, led by JTC, would press on with infrastructural works to ensure that they are ready for customers’ operations as soon as the economy picks up. She was speaking at the groundbreaking of a new $6 million jet fuel depot on a 1.07 ha plot adjacent to the extended runway at the West Camp area ..

Weekend update from Suresh – original at the Seletar Airbase album

Demolition of an old Black and White bungalow on Brompton Road. The red dust, backlit by the setting sun, comes from the bricks that are being torn down

Thanks to notty-bug’s efforts, some images of the demolition, taken on 23rd April 2009. More can be seen at the original photostream