KUCHING, March 20: The RM10 million water retention pond (SUStoM Pond) project at Jalan Crookshank, which was previously delayed due to heritage site concerns involving the old Nurses’ Quarters, will proceed as originally planned, according to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak.
DID Sarawak deputy director Law Wee said the project aims to help mitigate flooding in areas surrounding Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
Planning and construction works, which were postponed, will now resume with adjustments to preserve part of the heritage site.
“We estimate the cost to be around RM10 million for this area, and we will construct the SUStoM Pond here.
“We have agreed to preserve the original heritage building while demolishing newer structures added after the original building was established, to make way for the pond construction,” he told reporters at a press conference after inspecting the project site at the old Nurses’ Quarters building here today.
The construction works, initially scheduled for August 2024, were delayed due to concerns raised over the heritage value of the site.
The issue has now been resolved following discussions between the Sarawak government and the Sarawak Heritage Society (SHS).
A total of RM2 million has been allocated to restore and upgrade the old Nurses’ Quarters, preserving the site as a significant historical heritage landmark in Kuching.
In addition to its heritage value, the restored building is set to be repurposed as ‘Anjung Kasih’ — a free temporary accommodation facility for underprivileged family members of patients at SGH. — DayakDaily
