Singapore-style make-over will make Bal Bhavan interactive

Singapore-style make-over will make Bal Bhavan interactive
Pooja Virendra Kumar | TNN

Bangalore: Can Singapore’s interactive fountains, innovative playgrounds, butterfly park and nature trails be replicated in Bangalore?
That’s just what’s in the offing. Bal Bhavan at Cubbon Park is all set to be remodelled on the lines of children’s parks in Singapore.
Chairperson of Bal Bhavan Shalini Rajnish, who is drawing on ideas gathered during her visits to Singapore, says Bal Bhavan will be transformed into a more interactive, infotainment centre for kids. There will be water games, joy rides, nature trails, tree top walking and bird watching. This will not only give a fresh look to Bal Bhavan but will also draw more children.
Bal Bhavan was set up to promote all-round development of children.
Constituted in 1985, the bulk of its revenue comes from its amusements like toy train, peacock train, mini columbus, merry go round, besides rent from the theatre and party park.
To give this 22-year-old centre a face-lift, tenders will be invited from commercial players.
The need to invite private participation was the lack of funds for refurbishing work that the board wants to undertake. “Around Rs 60 lakh is generated annually from the amusement rides and Rs 40 lakh is received as grant from the state government for its upkeep. This money is not enough to undertake the changes,’’ said secretary Ahmed Hasan.
Once the tender is finalised, temporary structures like the amusement games, parks will be removed and the space will be utilised for new and better ideas. However, the theatre and library will only be refurbished internally.
Will the Singapore style Bal Bhavan be affordable for all? “Yes, of course. As the rates for the facilities will be in our hands, we will make sure that the facilities are affordable for children from all economic strata,’’ Hasan added.
About Bal Bhavan
Bal Bhavan is an autonomous institution formed to enhance creativity among children between the age group of 5 and 16. Established in 1985 in a 12.5 acre area within Cubbon Park, the centre conducts various creative and recreational activities like summer camps, creative writing, performing arts.
There are Bal Bhavans in every district in the state. While the government grants Rs 40 lakh to the Bal Bhavan in Bangalore, the rest in the state together get Rs 33 lakh.