THE HISTORIC Tun Fuad Stephens Park, which is now undergoing a RM20 million redevelopment, in Kota Kinabalu will not be reopened as scheduled this year.
According to city mayor Datuk Sabin Samitah, contractors tasked with the work to transform the park into a botanical garden have been given an extension of time to complete the job in 2025.
“I visited the park about two weeks ago and we have been informed by the contractors undertaking the redevelopment that the work can only be completed by March 2025.
“We hope there will be no more extension of time (after this). We expect to reopen the park by April or May 2025,” he told reporters after hosting a media dinner in Kota Kinabalu recently.
The Sabah government had announced the closure of the park for the redevelopment on November 30, 2022.
It will be known as the Tuan Fuad Stephens Botanical Garden when it reopens.
The project was placed under the supervision of the National Landscape Department and initially expected to be completed by September 14 this year.
Some 17.86ha will be upgraded around the area where the present jogging track and manmade lake are located.
The park was built in honour of former Sabah chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens who perished in a plane crash, now known as the Double Six Tragedy, in 1976.
He had served as chief minister on two occasions and was also Sabah governor from 1973 to 1975.
In 2017, the hall, seafood restaurants, and hawker area at the park were shut down due to the expiration of the concession tenure of the then operator.
A few restaurants, however, remain in operation until today. – The Vibes, February 1, 2024
