More community centres could be repurposed to offer specialist programmes

SINGAPORE — In the coming years, more community centres here could be repurposed to become specialist centres providing targeted programmes and activities catering to the needs of specific groups, People’s Association (PA) deputy chairman Chan Chun Sing said Sunday (Aug 27).

Initially, the concept of community centres was largely focused on supporting “geographical-based activities” within the different precincts. But with society evolving, Singaporeans are taking part in activities that go beyond geographical boundaries, said Mr Chan.

“So PA is going to expand our plethora of offerings to the people, and this is why we’ve embarked on a new journey to complement the geographical-based community centres,” he noted.

He gave the example of imPAct @ HongLimGreen, a specialist community centre to be completed in the third quarter of next year. It is now the Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Club.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming facility, he said it would provide fitness programmes such as crossfit, yoga and pilates, as well as professional development programmes, including career preparatory and coaching services to cater to working professionals in the Central Business District.

Mr Chan told reporters: “We’ll see new models coming along, either a standalone specialist community centre like this one in Hong Lim or ... a combination of a specialist community centre plus a conventional community centre sharing facilities across the island.”

imPAct @ HongLimGreen will be the second such facility in Singapore, after PAssion WaVe @ Marina Bay was launched in October 2015.

The latter, located in the Tanjong Rhu area, offers a range of water activities such as windsurfing, as well as lifestyle programmes like coffee appreciation and terrarium-making.

In a statement yesterday, the PA said the move to set up the new Hong Lim centre was based on a survey of 100 working professionals conducted between April and May.

It found that fitness activities and programmes continue to be in demand within the CBD.

On top of that, respondents also wanted short, effective programmes such as educational and life skills courses offered on flexible schedules.

Mr Chan, who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, said other specialist community centres in future could cater to other segments of the population such as teenagers, but did not provide details.

When asked whether the move was a result of community centres losing relevance, Mr Chan said this was not the case.

“We’ve constantly re-evaluated our strategy, and we think that the community centres are still very relevant to serving local community needs. But we must complement this as society evolves,” he added.

Established in 1951 during the colonial days, Tiong Bahru Community Centre was the first such facility built here. To date, there are 119 such centres providing various programmes for residents and acting as common spaces for people to bond.

According to the PA’s website, each community centre serves an average of 15,000 households or 50,000 people.

Professionals working in the CBD welcomed the new centre coming up in Hong Lim, saying that its fitness centre would make it easier for them to work out, for instance.

Mr Kenneth Lee, 29, who works in DBS Bank and is part of its dragon boat team, said he could do strength training only during the weekends, as his gym is far from his office at the Marina Bay Financial Centre.

With the upcoming facility, he would be able to go for fitness training frequently.

Mr Eddie Koh, 45, general manager of rubber company Sri Tang International, said that while there may be a number of gyms in the CBD, not everyone would have a membership.

Even those who have could possibly be under-utilising their memberships because of hectic work schedules, he said, adding: “It’s good they’re customising the community centre to the needs of working professionals. I think it makes it more relevant.”