Mr Loh additional that ORTO had tried to appeal to have an extension of 18 to 24 months but this was unsuccessful.
“It’s unfortunate and disappointing mainly because many of the tenants have already been operating here for a while, so there’s a sense of loss, ” he said, adding the park has been working at the current place since 2014.
“But it’s not something we just knew about, we understood this day would come at some point so we just kind of prepared for it. ”
MP Louis Ng (PAP-Nee Soon) said many residents wrote to him to express their issues about losing a place “with such lively vibes and a view to behold through the train”.
“They will miss the many activities they can perform at ORTO and it would be good for the federal government to consider these sights and plan the new HDB town plus align the facilities with what the site was previously, ” said Mister Ng, who oversees the Nee Quickly East ward.
As for GUI, Mr Ng mentioned he has been helping the non-profit over the years and was in conversations with the Government to try and save GUI’s present premises.
“I do understand the need for land for casing and was hoping we could try to construct around GUI and retain as much of this as we can. Ultimately, that was not achievable, ” he stated.
“I hope GUI finds an alternative site in Yishun and can carry on their good work for the city. ”
UNCERTAINTY MOVING FORWARD
With just 10 weeks to the end of the lease extension, tenants are currently in different stages of finding a new location.
Mister Loh said ORTO’s management has secured a two-storey industrial building near Haw Par Villa MRT station at twenty-seven West Coast Highway, which is expected to be ready in April.
He added that some of ORTO’s tenants may move to the newest location and that discussions are ongoing.
The turtle museum’s Ms Tan plus GUI’s Mr Cai are also both in discussions with the authorities for a new site.
“We will definitely proceed earlier because I have already been told that I will have to clear off a couple of months before June so that (the authorities) can reinstate the place. I don’t want to miss the June holidays because I need the funds to construct the new place, ” said Ms Bronze.
“I’ll most likely have to borrow from the lot of people as well as count on donations plus crowdfunding. ”
As for Mr Cai, he estimates which the first phase of building a new facility, which includes basic facilities and services, will cost S$2 million.
“Everyone, especially the volunteers, is asking what is going to happen to us because we are so involved with the community. So we are hoping to continue, it’s just a matter of how, ” he mentioned.