Singapore’s Merlion at Merlion Park will be closed for routine cleaning from 27 June to 6 July 2008.
The works have been scheduled to be completed in time for the National Day Celebrations. During the cleaning, the Merlion will be hoarded up for safety considerations.
The Merlion was first built as an eight-metre tall sculpture in 1972 and located at the mouth of the Singapore River to “welcome all visitors to Singapore”. Commissioned for approximately $165,000 in 1971 by the Singapore Tourism Board (then known as the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board), it was built by Mr Lim Nang Seng, a local craftsman who had won several prizes in the Singapore Handicraft and Design competition.
The Merlion was formally installed on 15 September 1972 by the then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. On 15 September 2002, the Merlion was moved to its current location at Merlion Park next to One Fullerton, and now overlooks the scenic Marina Bay.