Van Kleef Aquarium (Singapore)
Van Kleef Aquarium was an oceanarium located along River Valley Road and had 6,500 animals when it opened in 1955. The decision to develop it was made in 1935 by the Municipal Commission, and while the site and name of the aquarium were chosen by 1936, the aquarium was only approved in 1939. Construction began in 1940, but work was halted after piling was completed due to rising material costs, only resuming in 1952 on a new site. One might guess the World War was also a factor in the delay. The aquarium opened in September 1955, and remained popular through the 1970s, but by 1991, despite having been renovated between 1986 and 1987, it was viewed as out of date and closed in May 1991. Subsequently reopened as World of Aquarium in October 1991, which closed less than two years later due to poor business, and again as Fort Canning Aquarium in 1993, it eventually closed for good in 1996 and was demolished two years later. Yet here it is, on an unused older card. Grade: 1