Thanks for the memories... and the fish: Regulars at Yishun's Orto reminisce as park closes, some businesses yet to find new home
Orto leisure park in Yishun on June 15, 2023.
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- Orto leisure park in Yishun officially closed its doors on June 30 to make way for housing developments
- Of the 16 businesses from the old spot, only two have shifted to the new Orto in West Coast
- The rest either shut up shop, moved elsewhere, or were still looking for a new base to operate
- Several regulars of the original spot in Yishun returned for a final visit before it closed for good
TAN MING CHUAN
Published July 2, 2023Updated July 2, 2023
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SINGAPORE — As he watched some families spending their time fishing together at Orto leisure park in Yishun, Mr Muhammad Said Yacob just sighed.
The 32-year-old shift supervisor at Fishing Paradise said that his boss had no future plans for the business, intending for the firm to “end it well” at its current location, in conjunction with the expiry of the leisure park’s lease.
Describing customers of the firm as akin to “friends and family”, Mr Said, more affectionately known as “Pulau” by regular customers, recalled the close relationships he has developed over the years while with the firm.
“A lot of memories have been built here, not just with the staff but with the customers, too. Many customers have said they were going to miss this place, but that they would miss us (the staff) more,” he said.
Gesturing towards the patrons having dinner at the nearby restaurants, and then to the families fishing, Mr Said pointed out how Orto brings people of different age groups together.
“I think there is no other place in Singapore that has this kind of vibe. Very kampung vibe, very chill, open, relaxed and yet close to housing estates,” he said.
“So once this place closes down, I don’t know where to go in Yishun anymore.”
Fishing Paradise, which operated the fishing pond at the heart of Orto, officially shut down on June 25, leaving its regular patrons reminiscing about the good old times.
The place used to be known as Bottle Tree Park, before a change of ownership in 2014 saw it rebranded as Orto. Despite the change, the park retained its rustic charm and popularity as a fishing spot.
But it had to close to make way for new housing developments, with the 16 listed businesses there given the option to either relocate or cease operations by the end of June.
Of the 16, only two have shifted to the new Orto in West Coast. The rest either shut up shop, moved elsewhere, or were still looking for a new base to operate.
Mr Tay, a franchisee of the private gym facility The Gym Pod, had set up his business at the original Orto in February 2022.
Building up a steady clientele with the neighbouring Uber Sports, the 48-year-old said that businesses there were supportive of one another.“We attract customers for each other. On the weekends, there is a kid’s football class (at Uber Sports) and their parents will come to my gym pod. So the relationship among the operators is very good,” said Mr Tay, who declined to give his full name.
As of June 30, Mr Tay has relocated the unit into a storage yard and operations remain suspended until further notice.
Mr Kenny Xu, the owner of Happiest Hour bar and bistro, said it is difficult to find a place that has a similar tranquility.
“There are really no such spots in the rest of Singapore. It is so chill and easily accessible, and yet located in a very busy part of Singapore,” said the 40-year-old.
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While the firm has not yet announced its plans, Mr Xu assured customers of Happiest Hour to look out for an announcement in the fourth quarter of 2023.
“We are confident that this will not be our final farewell with our customers,” he said.
ONE FINAL VISIT
When TODAY visited Orto in Yishun in the evening on June 7, a Wednesday, there were around more than 80 people who came for dinner or other leisure activities.Basil Seow, 17, a student at Republic Polytechnic, reminisced about how his family would spend their time there. Having first visited the place in 2017, fishing was an activity that soon became their weekly family bonding session.
“I feel extremely sad that this place is closing down because my family and I grew up with this place,” he said.
“I still remember my biggest recorded catch here was a fish that weighed 17kg.”
Mr Terry Lim, a 25-year-old sales specialist, said he would miss the affordable food and drinks at the leisure park.
He would head to Orto to unwind with a good meal and some leisurely prawning after late-night study sessions and exams.
“The boat noodles were the highlight there. It was really cheap, and usually we would order up to 10 bowls between friends to share,” he said.
“The ambience there is very chill with an outdoor bar-like atmosphere where people can just hang out.”
For some, one final trip down to Orto was due.
Mr Dylan Tan, a full-time national serviceman, used to visit the place often with his family for longkang fishing and prawning during his childhood.
“I still remember falling into the longkang while fishing as a kid. It was me and my cousin, we were trying to catch this one really fast fish. We overreached and fell in,” said the 20-year-old.
Asked for his sentiments on the park’s closure, he said: “Of course, I’m going to be sad. This place just brings out your childhood memories, you know?”
