From a swimming pool in natural settings to forest trails and an eco-friendly hawker centre – these are some of the facilities that Sembawang residents can look forward to at the new integrated sports and community hub being planned for the town.
Details of the hub were revealed at a roadshow on Sunday (Jul 3) to raise awareness and engage residents on the development, which will be located on a 12-hectare green space near Sembawang MRT station.
Speaking at the event, Acting Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang GRC, assured residents that the greenery and heritage of the area would be retained.
There are now 761 trees in the area and while 200 trees will be cleared to make way for the project, another 1,000 trees will be replanted, Mr Ong said.
“Our overall approach is to build facilities into the forested area, rather than planting trees around the facilities,” he added.
“In a densely built up city-state like Singapore, it is important that here in Sembawang, we have a community space that will retain the heritage and greenery of the area, preserve many of the key features in the terrain.”
The Admiralty House, which is a historical national monument, will also be incorporated into the design.
Other facilities at the development could include multi-play courts and primary and senior care centres.
The project is co-developed by Sport Singapore, National Parks Board, Ministry of Health, Alexandra Health System, National Environment Agency, People’s Association and National Heritage Board.
Plans for the hub were announced in August last year and the development was originally targeted for completion in 2018, although authorities have said a new projected completion date will be announced when plans are finalised. Mr Ong said he hopes that some of the facilities can be opened by 2019 to 2020.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 3 Jul 2016