Subterranean Penang International Conference & Exhibition Centre (sPICE) (George Town)

Malaysia / Pulau Pinang / Sungai Ara / George Town / Jalan Tun Dr. Awang
 stadium, office building, interesting place
Formerly known as Penang International Sports Arena (PISA). This is a RM250 million to RM300 million upgrading project being developed by SP Setia Group for the Penang State Government. SPICE will involve upgrading and enlargement of the original Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) with the construction of a semi-subterranean facility for conferences and exhibition.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   5°19'45"N   100°16'48"E

Comments

  • It is not entirely a white elephant. Intention of the Penang state government is good as there is no real good standard stadium in the whole of Penang island. Building PISA in the burgeoning town of Bayan Baru at that time was right to divert traffic away from city center and also to meet the needs of growing population and business set-ups around that area. The swimming pool is still being maintained very well, with reasonable fees charged. I can see quite a number of people bringing their families to swim there. There are diving and scuba diving classes being conducted. Swimming competition are sometimes held there. Quite a number of international events, conventions,business roadshows exhibitions are being held regularly, almost every week. There is a well equipped gym just beside the swimming pool which charges a reasonable fee. The commercial lots are being occupied more and more, although at one time they diminished from their early new set-up prime time. A tuition center is also run which conveniences the parents due to the parking and waiting spaces available. In conclusion, it is still not a white elephant but only not that it does not turn out as many originally hoped, dreamed and claimed.
  • Is this site to be redeveloped as sPICE?
This article was last modified 11 years ago