By Ling Hui and Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 11: The transformation of the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) swimming pool into a family water fun park and the Centre of Gastronomy marks the beginning of elevating Kuching City to a whole new level.
MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said while the city’s traditional spaces must be preserved and protected, it is also high time for an upgrade.
With Kuching newly designated as the first city in Malaysia to be recognised as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy for its food heritage and diversity, he said this is an opportunity for expansion.
“We aim to preserve the best of what we have but refit it for the future.
“This exciting new development will form the heart of an ambitious urban renewal programme, (which is) already under planning for some time,” he said.
Wee also said MBKS swimming pool was identified as the site for the Centre of Gastronomy as it is a familiar landmark and viewed with great fondness by the people of Kuching.
“This new centre for the people, standing next to MBKS headquarters, will revitalise this part of the city. It will balance business and relaxation with leisure and learning opportunities.
“The gastronomy centre, part of our commitment to the goals of the United Nations under UCCN (Unesco Creative Cities Network), will be a space for our traditional culinary heritage to embed knowledge and creativity,” he said.
A hub for exchange between all gastronomic players in the city and the general public, the Centre of Gastronomy will also support the annual Kuching Food Festival and become a focal point for this part of the city, for now, and the future.
While the vision to equip Kuching city with improved facilities and infrastructure will take years, Wee said it is a vision worth pursuing.
“I am reminded of the Chinese proverb that the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
“We are taking that step now,” he said during the launching ceremony of redeveloping MBKS swimming pool into the Centre of Gastronomy today.
Amongst those present were Federal Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) Minister Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; State Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MTAC) Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion; MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng; and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datu Junaidi Reduan. — DayakDaily
