Latest news with #SportsFacilitiesMasterPlan
Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Forum: SportSG committed to quality and sustainable sports facilities
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox We thank Mr Kelvin Chua Cher Wei for his letter ' Do more to nurture track and field athletes ' (June 18) and suggestions to improve Singapore's sport facilities. As part of the Sports Facilities Master Plan (SFMP), Sport Singapore (SportSG) will continue to develop new infrastructure and rejuvenate existing facilities across the island while adopting environmentally responsible practices. Bukit Canberra and Kallang Tennis Hub have received the Green Mark Platinum certification, with the latter also achieving the highest-tier Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification. We have implemented climate-responsive measures to manage Singapore's warm and humid climate more sustainably, including treated window glass to minimise heat penetration, energy-efficient ventilation systems, and more sheltered spaces. Additional hydration points were also installed at Kallang Practice Track following recent track replacement works. These efforts further enhance overall users' experience and comfort at our facilities. Moving forward, upcoming and renovated facilities are planned to meet the Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification. At the National Day Rally last year, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined our vision for Singapore's next bound of sporting excellence. Enhancements to the Kallang Alive precinct embody our commitment to strengthen our sport culture. These include a new home for Team Singapore that will bring sports administrators, and sports science and sports medicine professionals under one roof to provide comprehensive athlete support. Beyond infrastructure, the Government continues to strengthen its support for our athletes through initiatives like the spexScholarship programme and the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarship. In April 2025, the Singapore Sport Institute and National Youth Sports Institute merged to form the High Performance Sport Institute (HPSI) – a key step towards a more integrated athlete support system from youth to senior levels. In the coming years, HPSI and the Singapore Sports School will consolidate into a single entity, providing clear pathways for athletes to pursue both academic and sporting excellence. We are also embracing technological innovation to enhance athlete support. This includes using virtual reality (VR) to help athletes simulate competition venues and practice performance strategies in a controlled environment, whilst overcoming logistical and physical constraints. We appreciate Mr Chua's interest and support for Singapore's sports development, and hope that his encouragement of his children's sporting interests inspires others to do the same. Lim Hong Khiang Chief, Sport Infrastructure Group Sport Singapore
New Paper
14-06-2025
- Business
- New Paper
Kallang Basin Swimming Complex, St Wilfred Sport Centre to close; sites may be used for public housing
The Kallang Basin Swimming Complex and St Wilfred Sport Centre will close in the second half of 2025 when their leases expire, Sport Singapore (SportSG), the Housing Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said in a joint media statement on June 13. The swimming complex at 21 Geylang Bahru Lane will close on Sept 1, and the St Wilfred facility in Whampoa will shutter on Oct 1. The Kallang Basin venue also houses a gym, while the other has a tennis and squash centre and a football field. The national agencies are studying plans to redevelop both sites for public housing, said the statement. "This is part of our ongoing efforts to address the strong and broad-based demand for housing in recent years," said the agencies. "As part of our long-term planning efforts, the Government will also continue to develop and enhance sports infrastructure, working closely with the community to meet Singapore's evolving lifestyle and recreational needs." After the closures of both facilities, residents in Whampoa and Geylang Bahru can visit alternative options such as a new sports facility in Kolam Ayer and another venue in Whampoa which is due to be completed by end-2025. They can also visit the ActiveSG swimming complexes in Serangoon, Geylang East and Jalan Besar, squash and tennis courts at Kallang ActiveSG Squash Centre, Burghley ActiveSG Squash and Tennis Centre, and Kallang Tennis Centre. Under the Dual-Use Scheme, the indoor sport hall and field at Bendemeer Primary School and the football field at Bendemeer Secondary School are also available. As part of the Government's Sports Facilities Master Plan, SportSG continues to "develop and rejuvenate infrastructure to meet Singapore's diverse and evolving sporting needs, interests and aspirations", said the statement. It also noted that the number of ActiveSG facilities across Singapore has increased by 30 per cent since 2013, with more in the pipeline, including the Farrer Park Town Play Field and Punggol Regional Sport Centre. ERA Singapore's key executive officer Eugene Lim said that "it makes sense for the sites to make way for better land use, especially given that they are located quite near to the city centre". He added: "The Kallang Basin Swimming Complex, built in the 1980s, is relatively dated compared to many of the newer sports complexes developed in recent years. This is the same for the St Wilfred Sport Centre." Mr Lim also noted that Geylang Bahru is in need of rejuvenation as many of the blocks there were built in the 1970s. Future housing in the area is expected to be sought after since it will be within walking distance of Geylang Bahru MRT station and the Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre, he added. He said: "Due to the proximity to town, the (Build-To-Order projects) are likely to be Plus flats. The nearby sites have a plot ratio of 2.8, and assuming a similar plot ratio, we may see some high-rise BTO flats potentially up to 36 storeys. The new development may feature a mix of two- to four-room HDB flats, catering to a range of household profiles." The St Wilfred facility in Whampoa will shutter on Oct 1. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Mr Lim also pointed out that St Wilfred Sport Centre is similar as it is located near St George's Road where many of the HDB flats were built in the 1980s. Adding that it is located near the city centre and is a 10-minute walk to Boon Keng MRT station, he said the site's "proximity and accessibility to amenities" will also potentially place the new housing in the Plus category. Prime and Plus flats, which are located closer to amenities such as MRT stations, come with stricter resale conditions such as a 10-year minimum occupation period and a subsidy clawback. Mr Nicholas Mak, chief research officer at property search portal noted that "it makes sense for both (facilities) to close" as there are other existing and upcoming sports facilities for residents. On the possible redevelopment in Kallang Basin, he said: "It gives a chance for the Government to reinvent and develop the whole area with a mixture of HDB flats and private homes. That whole area is rather aged and it is possible now to really intensify the land use there." As for St Wilfred, he added that the area can also be redeveloped to ensure it is better utilised.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Kallang Basin Swimming Complex, St Wilfred Sport Centre to close; sites may be used for public housing
The Kallang Basin Swimming Complex and St Wilfred Sport Centre will cease operations in the second half of 2025. PHOTO: KALLANG BASIN SPORT CENTRE/FACEBOOK Kallang Basin Swimming Complex, St Wilfred Sport Centre to close; sites may be used for public housing SINGAPORE - The Kallang Basin Swimming Complex and St Wilfred Sport Centre will close in the second half of 2025 when their leases expire, Sport Singapore (SportSG), the Housing Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said in a joint media statement on June 13. The swimming complex at 21 Geylang Bahru Lane will close on Sept 1, and the St Wilfred facility in Whampoa will shutter on Oct 1. The Kallang Basin venue also houses a gym, while the other has a tennis and squash centre and a football field. The national agencies are studying plans to redevelop both sites for public housing, said the statement. 'This is part of our ongoing efforts to address the strong and broad-based demand for housing in recent years,' said the agencies. 'As part of our long-term planning efforts, the Government will also continue to develop and enhance sports infrastructure, working closely with the community to meet Singapore's evolving lifestyle and recreational needs.' After the closures of both facilities, residents in Whampoa and Geylang Bahru can visit alternative options such as a new sports facility in Kolam Ayer and another venue in Whampoa which is due to be completed by end-2025. They can also visit the ActiveSG swimming complexes in Serangoon, Geylang East and Jalan Besar, squash and tennis courts at Kallang ActiveSG Squash Centre, Burghley ActiveSG Squash and Tennis Centre, and Kallang Tennis Centre. Under the Dual-Use Scheme, the indoor sport hall and field at Bendemeer Primary School and the football field at Bendemeer Secondary School are also available. As part of the Government's Sports Facilities Master Plan, SportSG continues to 'develop and rejuvenate infrastructure to meet Singapore's diverse and evolving sporting needs, interests and aspirations', said the statement. It also noted that the number of ActiveSG facilities across Singapore has increased by 30 per cent since 2013, with more in the pipeline, including the Farrer Park Town Play Field and Punggol Regional Sport Centre. ERA Singapore's key executive officer Eugene Lim said that 'it makes sense for the sites to make way for better land use, especially given that they are located quite near to the city centre'. He added: 'The Kallang Basin Swimming Complex, built in the 1980s, is relatively dated compared to many of the newer sports complexes developed in recent years. This is the same for the St Wilfred Sport Centre.' Mr Lim also noted that Geylang Bahru is in need of rejuvenation as many of the blocks there were built in the 1970s. Future housing in the area is expected to be sought after since it will be within walking distance of Geylang Bahru MRT station and the Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre, he added. He said: 'Due to the proximity to town, the (Build-To-Order projects) are likely to be Plus flats. The nearby sites have a plot ratio of 2.8, and assuming a similar plot ratio, we may see some high-rise BTO flats potentially up to 36 storeys. The new development may feature a mix of two- to four-room HDB flats, catering to a range of household profiles.' The St Wilfred facility in Whampoa will shutter on Oct 1. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Mr Lim also pointed out that St Wilfred Sport Centre is similar as it is located near St George's Road where many of the HDB flats were built in the 1980s. Adding that it is located near the city centre and is a 10-minute walk to Boon Keng MRT station, he said the site's 'proximity and accessibility to amenities' will also potentially place the new housing in the Plus category. Prime and Plus flats, which are located closer to amenities such as MRT stations, come with stricter resale conditions such as a 10-year minimum occupation period and a subsidy clawback. Mr Nicholas Mak, chief research officer at property search portal noted that 'it makes sense for both (facilities) to close' as there are other existing and upcoming sports facilities for residents. On the possible redevelopment in Kallang Basin, he said: 'It gives a chance for the Government to reinvent and develop the whole area with a mixture of HDB flats and private homes. That whole area is rather aged and it is possible now to really intensify the land use there.' As for St Wilfred, he added that the area can also be redeveloped to ensure it is better utilised. Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Forum: 10,000-seat stadium plan for Toa Payoh
We thank Mr Edwin Pang for his letter 'Old Turf City can feature mid-tier football stadium' (April 22). Singapore is proud of the Lion City Sailors' historic qualification for the AFC Champions League Two final. The Sailors have been working with various partners to explore viable homeground venues. Together with Sport Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore and sports industry partners, the Sailors are working on preparation works at Bishan Stadium to ensure it is ready for the upcoming final. We share Mr Pang's views on developing multi-use spaces that cater to various segments of our community. In land-scarce Singapore, this has to be our approach in the development and rejuvenation of our sports facilities. One of our ongoing projects under our Sports Facilities Master Plan is the Toa Payoh Integrated Development, which has plans to include a 10,000-seater stadium, making it the second-largest football facility in Singapore, slated for completion by 2030. As for Bukit Timah Turf City, the area has been planned for a new housing estate featuring multiple new amenities that are sensitively integrated with heritage and nature to serve current and future residents. This will include recreational spaces that are suitable for sporting activities, to support an active and healthy community. We thank Mr Pang once again for his suggestions and his support for Singapore's sports ecosystem. Lim Hong Khiang Chief, Sport Infrastructure Group Sport Singapore More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
