The Finishing Touch – The Final 3-Tier Stage

-by Alan Chow

 

It is finally completed, the magnificent 3-tier stage that was envisioned for National Day Parade 2008. The stage has been used for rehearsals since the 21st of June; in this role, it served as a preview of what is to come. And on the 26th of July when the final touch-ups were done, the stage became all set for its grand part on the 9th of August.

Looking back on the journey of constructing the 3-tier stage, the Co-Chairmen of the Infrastructure and Decoration Committee, MAJ Ronnie Yap and Mr Soh Tian Boon, and their team reminisced about the challenges that they faced. These include key challenges such as the aesthetic and safety aspects of constructing the stage, together with a tight schedule that has little tolerance for deviations.

To ensure that the stage will look good on television, the multitude of embellishments that have been added are carefully considered. The choir stands, the scissorlifts that will elevate the theme song singers, and perhaps most crucial of all are the lightings as in the night, it is the determining factor in complimenting the performances. Another challenging feature would be the installation of the gigantic LED (Light-emitting Diode) screens, which is a daunting task that required special forklifts installed at the back of the stage to hoist and place the LED screens. Besides the aesthetic features, the safety aspects are also well-covered to ensure that the stage is able to hold the weight of the vast array of performers and vehicles.

The 3-tier Stage is the product of a union of ideas and hardworking committee members. Among them are people like 2WO Leslie Almodiel Maurice, in charge of virtually all safety, hygiene and operational aspects of the stage, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the past few months. Engineers, designers and special contractors have also contributed their best to ensure the creation of the stage. And as the Co-Chairmen, MAJ Ronnie Yap and Mr Soh Tian Boon humbly put it, the 3-tier Stage is the dream that has become reality because of these dedicated people.