It’s to spice up PISA

Highly impressive: Artist impression of an aerial night view of the sPICE centre within the Penang People's Park project.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has defended the need for the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhi-bition Centre (sPICE), saying that the project would “save” the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA).

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said PISA was in bad shape and needed to be turned around.

“When we took over in 2008, the PISA was in deplorable condition.

“Be realistic, despite being touted as a meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) centre, PISA is a sports centre. We need a proper MICE facility because there’s great potential in this industry.

“The previous administration was also pushing for a MICE centre but failed to deliver,” he told reporters after visiting a school here yesterday.

Chow was commenting on a call by the Penang Gerakan for more transparency on the RM300mil project.

On Tuesday, party local government bureau chairman Teh Leong Meng urged the state to make public the winning bidder’s tender documents.

He also questioned the rush to build sPICE, adding that the state government and Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) had failed to manage the PISA well.

He said the council should just concentrate on its core business of keeping cleanliness, maintaining roads and building more hawker centres.

Chow said a dialogue would be held with stakeholders to discuss the feedback received.

“All views will be taken into account. Before we sign the contract for the project, all details will be revealed,” he said, adding that the council would make the RM50mil payment in stages.

“Upon signing, the MPPP will only pay RM10mil.

“The rest will be paid as work on the project progresses,” he said, adding that the state government had placed “great importance” on cleanliness and solid waste management and would not neglect its duties.

The sPICE is part of the Penang People’s Park (PPP) project which includes a new 2.8ha public park, a refurbished, repaired and upgraded PISA and Aquatic Centre and a new hotel with retail outlets and a car park.

The public have been given two weeks from Jan 22 to communicate their views by e-mailing MPPP president Patahiyah Ismail at hiyah@mppp.gov.my or submitting their views at PISA.