$1.5b to be pumped into sports facilities for all

SINGAPORE - To give Singaporeans a venue for play and exercise within 10 minutes of their homes, the Government is committing $1.5 billion to build new sports facilities or spruce up existing ones.

The changes to the sporting landscape will come into effect by 2030 and are part of Phase One of the Sports Facilities Master Plan (SFMP), Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday.

Speaking during the debate on his ministry's budget, Mr Wong said: "We are building sporting facilities all over Singapore, for all Singaporeans to enjoy." The minister added that the community in Singapore is diverse, and so are its sporting needs.

Punggol will be among the first neighbourhoods to benefit.

A regional sports centre (RSC), complete with football field and swimming pool, will be integrated with Punggol's waterways and sharing the same location with a Safra clubhouse.

It will be the second of five RSCs planned. These facilities are larger than existing sports and recreation centres, with larger seating capacities and LED screens to bring the community together for a better spectator experience.

The first is being built in Tampines. The locations of the other three have not been announced.

Sembawang residents can also look forward to a new town sports and recreation centre, which could feature facilities for rock climbing and BMX cycling.

While there are no plans yet for new facilities to be introduced in Ang Mo Kio under Phase One, the existing Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex will be redeveloped into the Ang Mo Kio Wet Play Field.

Plans are in place to introduce an adventure sports pool with a floating playground in the facility.

Such community initiatives will complement the crown jewel of the Singapore sports scene, the new Singapore Sports Hub.

It will be fully opened in June, and host the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games next year.

"We want to meet sporting needs at all levels - national, regional, town and community," said Mr Wong.

meng@sph.com.sg

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