STB to mark anniversary with ‘Lampoopalooza’
Sabah Tourism Board (STB) will light up Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu with its first light art installation, Lampoopalooza, within the vicinity of its office to mark the anniversary of the building at 6pm on April 5.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism Board (STB) will light up Gaya Street with its first light art installation, Lampoopalooza, within the vicinity of the STB Office here to mark the anniversary of the building at 6pm on April 5.
The event will feature a production of a special video projected on the entire building and an artistic display of lights in the surrounding areas to position the historical street as Kota Kinabalu's signature stretch.
This year's video installation follows Kota Kinabalu''s first ever show produced by STB last year, during the building's centennial celebration.
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Assafal P Alian said the program was one of efforts to hit the ministry's KPI on tourist arrivals into Sabah and receipts collected from the tourism industry.
“My hope, towards the end of this program, is actually, I want to make the program this time an annual event that may be a street party, where on that day tourists who come or locals in Kota Kinabalu can enjoy something meaningful and entertaining in whatever we do on that day.
“So, this is an added value to our program and also Gaya Street as well as added value to the annual activities that will be made by STB (Sabah Tourism Board) later,” said Assaffal during a press conference held for the event at the STB historical building.
In addition, the one-day event is also pegged to become a regular event in the future.
“We are excited to continue this innovative event at our heritage building, which will attract both locals and international tourists. It will raise Kota Kinabalu's prominence into a vibrant city in the Borneo Island,” said Assaffal.
“Gaya Street will be transformed into something magical with the help of specialized agency on creative light content as well as all the communities working and frequenting here. The highlight of the event will be Kota Kinabalu's largest outdoor projection on a building,” he added.
The STB Building was first occupied in 1918 and officiated by the Governor of the British North Borneo Chartered Company.
Later, it was renovated to house the Treasury, Audit Office, a bank and the Post Office until 1986.
The state government officially gazetted it as a historical building in 1988.
The building underwent restoration before reopening it in 1991, to house the Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation, now the STB Office.
“The structure of the building is very suitable for the event. Affected roads will be closed for motorists to make way for the event so the public can enjoy freely. Ice cream will be given out to visitors, and the popular food trucks will be selling well-loved dishes throughout the night,” said Assaffal.
Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew will officiate at the event.