No fixed dates for opening of theme park, casino at Resorts World Sentosa

No date has been fixed for the opening of the Universal Studios Singapore theme park at Resorts World Sentosa.

Chairman of Resorts World Sentosa Lim Kok Thay made the clarification amid media reports that the theme park is scheduled to open by the end of next week.

Speaking at a news conference after the soft opening of four hotels at the integrated resort on Wednesday, Mr Lim also said it is not known yet when the casino will open as it awaits its operating licence from the authorities.

"After the opening today of Crockfords Tower, the rest of the facilities would follow suit from next week onwards," said Mr Lim. "Obviously that would include the Festive Walk, the Universal theme park, as well as the casino component."

Four of the six hotels at the integrated resort were opened to the public at 8.18am, an auspicious time.

They are Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore.

Even though Resorts World Sentosa has managed to open ahead of Marina Bay Sands, Mr Lim said it is not a race.

"(Competition to open first) would be foolish, which means that one may end up cutting corners," Mr Lim explained. "So, we've been single mindedly working on our own project and not having to look over our shoulders because we have a masterplan, we stuck by that and we just delivered on the timing that we promised the government. Although, it turned out to be somewhat earlier than we expected."

The convention centre at the integrated resort is also now open, and it has already received 33 bookings.

Some 6,400 staff are already on the payroll.

ChannelNewsAsia