A grand old building for PAA grand old building for PA

WHEN the People’s Association (PA) was set up 50 years ago, its headquarters was a former airport in Kallang.

Yesterday, it officially moved into another old building: the former Victoria School building in King George’s Avenue.

This time, however, the PA engaged architects and gave its new home a $47 million makeover.

They conserved the old school building while converting the classrooms into sleek offices. The school hall-cum-canteen is now a dance studio and storage area for Chingay and National Day props.

A new five-storey extension block was built behind the old school and a sprawling lawn fronts the entire structure.

The changes won it the Architectural Heritage Awards last year, an annual honour given to well-restored monuments and conservation buildings in Singapore.

Last night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also PA’s chairman, officially opened its new home in a ceremony attended by about 1,000 people, including Cabinet ministers and grassroots leaders.

The event, held on the lawn, was like a mini National Day celebration, complete with floats, performers in colourful costumes as well as fireworks and a pyrotechnic display.

Mr Lee also opened the PA heritage gallery, an exhibition which charts the association’s growth over the past 50 years. The gallery will be a permanent fixture at the building’s atrium.

These events are the first in a series of activities to be held this year to mark PA’s 50th anniversary.

Grassroots leader and Victoria School alumnus Chia Hoon Chye, who attended the opening ceremony, was dazzled by the changes.

‘The building is very grand and it reflects the PA’s achievements over the last 50 years,’ said the 77-year-old.

Source : Straits Times – 30 Jan 2010