| MUMBAI:
Singapore's Changi Motorsports Hub is offering an opportunity for investors, developers,
auto-related and leisure organisations to be part of a sports-leisure project
in Asia. The
Singapore Sports Council (SSC) has released a Request For Proposal (RFP) offering
local and international consortia a unique opportunity to build and manage the
Changi Motorsports Hub (CMH). The
CMH will feature motorsports facilities and amenities for motorsports enthusiasts,
businesses, consumers and tourists alike. CMH
will sit on a 41-hectare sea-facing site near Changi Airport and will be conveniently
connected to the City’s key tourist attractions and landmarks as well as
the Central business district. Expected
to be ready by the end of 2011, the Hub will feature a permanent racetrack of
at least 3.5 kilometres along the coastline, complemented with a permanent sheltered
grandstand for at least 8,000 spectators who will have unblocked views of the
entire racetrack. The
CMH is a significant project initiated by the government, following the success
of Singapore’s inaugural Formula 1 night race, which won instant international
acclaim and catapulted the country to the forefront of motorsports in Asia.
With the race as a major force in the local motorsports scene till 2012, the government
is set to ride on the momentum and develop the city-state into a regional sports
and entertainment hub.
CMH is a major project that will contribute to the government’s vision of
a S$2 billion sports industry by 2015, along with the goal of employing 20,000
people in sports related jobs.
Singapore Sports Council chairman Alex Chan said, “SSC and its advisors conducted
intensive qualitative and quantitative research in Singapore and the region to
gain insights into the country’s advantages as a motorsports destination,
as well as identify what consumers would like to see in a racetrack. "We
spent the last few months actively engaging all stakeholders to refine the project
specifications to make this a compelling investment proposition. I’m happy
to announce one of the key changes is the increase in the land plot size from
20 hectares to 41 hectares. "We
have also increased the maximum allowable space for commercial usage significantly.
These key specification changes will have a major impact on the commercial viability
and design optimization for the project.” “The
racetrack’s unique selling points include its seafront location, compact
track design, motorsports and other leisure activities all rolled into one; together
with Singapore’s long term commitment to grow the motorsports, sports and
tourism industries. We are confident that this will be a very attractive investment
proposition for global investors and partners to build and expand their business
in Singapore and the region,” he said. CMH
will house its own racing academy and will serve as a regional training and research
& development centre for motorsports. The CMH will host top international
motorsports competitions – including the Fédération Internationale
de l’Automobile (FIA) Grade 2 race – as well as Meeting, Incentive,
Conference and Exhibition (MICE) events. It will contain motorsports-related and
general retail outlets, restaurants, and other engaging lifestyle and entertainment
offerings. Chan
adds, “This strong overarching vision of an aspirational Motorsports Hub
is reflected in our proposal criteria. Amongst others, proposals need to demonstrate
an ability to position CMH as the preferred venue for international motorsports
events, an ability to build a centre of excellence for motorsports training and
education, as well as financial and business sustainability. Concept is key to
our consideration, and we have based the RFP process on a two envelope system
to effectively evaluate bids on that basis.” A
deposit of S$10,000 is required for the RFP, which will be refunded upon submission
of a conforming proposal. Proposals must be submitted by 27 August 2009. | 
