SPICE Arena
 | |
 | |
 | |
| Former names | Penang International Sports Arena |
|---|---|
| Address | 108, Jalan Tun Dr Awang, 11900 Bayan Lepas George Town Malaysia |
| Coordinates | 5°19′42″N 100°16′51″E / 5.328349°N 100.280827°E |
| Public transit | 302, 303, 304, 308 |
| Owner | Penang Island City Council |
| Operator | S P Setia |
| Type | Multipurpose arena |
| Capacity | 18,000[1] |
| Field size | 256 ft (78 m) x 130 ft (40 m)[1] |
| Acreage | 6.84 acres (2.77 ha)[1] |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Renovated | 2016 |
SPICE Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena in George Town within the Malaysian state of Penang. Situated within the suburb of Bayan Lepas, it contains 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m2) of event space and is touted as the largest arena in northern Malaysia.[1][2]
Originally named the Penang International Sports Arena (abbrev. PISA), the arena was completed in 1997 ahead of the 2000 Sukma Games and the 2001 SEA Games. The venue was plaqued with issues related to poor design and maintenance. In 2011, Malaysian property developer S P Setia was awarded a project to redevelop the arena, with modifications completed by 2016. Now a component of Setia SPICE, the arena is used for sports events, concerts and conventions.[3]
History
[edit]Proposals for the construction of an indoor sports arena at Bayan Lepas had been suggested in the early 1990s.[4] The 25.4-acre (10.3 ha) PISA was subsequently built by the Penang Island Municipal Council (now Penang Island City Council) at a cost of RM102.5 million, supported by a subsidy of RM20 million from the Malaysian federal government.[5][6] The complex, which included an indoor sports arena and an aquatics centre, was completed in November 1997.[5] Local company Maxifield was awarded the tender to operate the complex.[7]
As early as 1998, design deficiencies at PISA were already identified, resulting in an expenditure of RM4 million by Maxifield to upgrade the facility in preparation for the 2000 Sukma Games, which were hosted by Penang.[7][8] Following financial difficulties faced by Maxifield in 1999, the municipal government appointed Penevents, a subsidiary of the Penang Development Corporation, as the new operator of the complex.[9][10] Design issues persisted, however, leading to complaints of inadequate seating amenities during the Sukma Games.[11]
PISA was one of the venues for the 2001 SEA Games, hosting events such as judo and wushu.[12][13] Following the Games, the complex reportedly fell into disrepair. The municipal government estimated that RM25 million was required for extensive repairs to the facilities.[14]
Renovation
[edit]After the 2008 state election, the new Pakatan Rakyat-led state government requested proposals to redevelop PISA.[14] In 2011, Malaysian property developer S P Setia secured a 30-year concession from the municipal government to build and operate the complex, which was subsequently renamed Setia SPICE.[15][16] The redevelopment project was valued at RM300 million, but the municipal government was only obligated to invest a nett amount of RM11.5 million due to cost savings from the open tender process.[17][18] In addition, S P Setia received planning approval to build Setia V Residences at Gurney Drive, as part of an additional 1,500 residential units exceeding the density limit of its existing and future projects in the state.[19]
By 2016, upgrades to the SPICE Arena, part of the Setia SPICE complex, were complete. Modifications were made to the roof, façade, and air conditioning, chiller and surveillance systems.[20] A covered walkway now links the arena with the adjacent SPICE Convention Centre.[3]
SPICE Arena also served as the first mass vaccination centre in Penang during the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "SETIA SPICE ARENA". Setia SPICE. S P Setia. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "Iconic landmark a pride of Penang". The Star. 18 Nov 2018. Retrieved 21 Apr 2025 – via PressReader.
- ^ a b Penang Meeting Planners Guide 2022–2023 (PDF). Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau. 2024.
- ^ "Celebrity event gets donations totalling $26,000". New Straits Times. 17 May 1992. p. 4. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ a b "MESYUARAT PERTAMA PENGGAL KEEMPAT DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG KESEMBILAN". Penang State Legislative Assembly (in Malay). Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ Rafee, Hannah (2 Nov 2018). "Green convention centre raises the bar". The Edge. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ a b "Pisa complex: Council explains". New Straits Times. 1 Aug 1998. p. 14. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "Funds needed to spruce up $4m stadium". The Straits Times. 24 Jul 1998. p. 34. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025 – via National Library Board.
- ^ "Sports arena operator's debts settled with security deposit". New Straits Times. 16 Oct 1999. p. 6. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "MESYUARAT PERTAMA PENGGAL KETIGA DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG KESEPULUH". Penang State Legislative Assembly (in Malay). Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "Poor Seating Facilities For Fans At Sukma". New Straits Times. 20 Jun 2000. p. 34. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "Judo gets local and foreign assistance". New Straits Times. 15 Sep 2001. p. 38. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "Cabbies make a killing". New Straits Times. 9 Sep 2001. p. 34. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ a b "The economic flavor that sPICE will bring" (PDF). Buletin Mutiara. Nov 2011. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "SP Setia's long term growth banks on recent land bid wins – Analysts". The Borneo Post. 18 Jan 2011. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ Ann Tan (16 Jan 2011). "RM300mil SPICE Centre for Penang". The Star. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "Penang to pay RM11.5m for sPICE". The Edge. 17 Jan 2011. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ "SP Setia wins Penang convention centre deal". Business Times. 17 Jan 2011. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025 – via Penang Property Talk.
- ^ "SP Setia must take possession of Pisa first". Business Times. 21 Jan 2012. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025 – via Penang Property Talk.
- ^ Emmanuel, Marina (28 Jan 2016). "SP Setia unveils SPICE Aquatic Centre in Penang". New Straits Times. Retrieved 18 Apr 2025.
- ^ Opalyn Mok (3 Jun 2021). "Minister: Mass Covid-19 vaccination centres to be set up for factory workers in Penang in two weeks". Malay Mail. Retrieved 20 Apr 2025.
