Last Updated on 2016-06-16 , 8:11 am
Those who have stayed in Jurong for some time have witnessed the massive change that the area has gone through. Of course, we are more than happy with the new amenities, what with all the exciting shopping malls and overall vibrancy of the area. However, sometimes we get a bit nostalgic about the days of the past. Here are some things we miss about the old Jurong.
The ice-skating rink at the old Jurong Entertainment Centre.
I still remember calling it “JEC”. Standing in its place now is JCube, the cool-and-hip place with the ice rink, now called “The Rink” (surprise, surprise). The old ice rink sported a much more awesome name, “Fuji Ice Palace”. If my memory serves me well, I recall the place to be enclosed and super cold, perfect for students to chill out at with seats at the side. Now, it has been transformed into a more “open” concept, with restaurants found all around the perimeter of the rink so people can watch you trip and fall spectacularly, or skate like a drunk panda on ice, while they tuck into a hearty meal.
The cheap prices at the old Jurong Entertainment Centre.
I also miss how cheap everything was last time–from food and parking to the ice-skating. Now, everything is so expensive, it kind of feels like Orchard Road at times. Which is kind of the point for developing in the first place, I guess.
The dragon playground in the housing estates.
This dragon-shaped playground used to be found in every heartland area across Singapore. Jurong had its own dragon playground too, which I am sure many Jurong residents will have fond childhood memories of. The one in Jurong has been demolished, along with many others around Singapore. Sadly, these dragons are now bordering on extinction. Apparently there is still one in Ang Mo Kio, another at Circuit Road and two in Toa Payoh.
The old Jurong East Library.
Ah, where we used to spend our time sieving through collections of books and do our homework. It was also much quieter, and many residents enjoyed sitting by the window ledge to read.
When the Science Centre was known as the “Singapore Science Centre”.
FYI, it has been renamed ” Science Centre Singapore”. Genius. The Science Centre has also undergone a fair share of changes, including the addition of the Omni-Theatre, Snow City, expanded exhibition halls and more recently, the construction of a rock-climbing wall (where many inter-school competitions are now held).
The large expanse of green space.
While the area still has some patches of greenery (e.g..near Chinese Garden), many have also been lost to commercial development (like the shopping malls, and Genting Hotel Jurong). With the development of the new railway terminal in the works, it is likely that even more will be lost.
Do you live in Jurong? What do you miss most about the old Jurong?
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