Three renewal projects in Woodlands to finish by 2019

Singapore — More than 4,700 households in Woodlands are expected to benefit from three neighbourhood renewal programmes slated for completion progressively by 2019. In total, 66 blocks, as well as common areas, will undergo upgrading, and some new facilities will also be built.

Giving an update on the sidelines of a ministerial visit yesterday, Member of Parliament (Sembawang GRC) Amrin Amin said: “We have many infrastructural improvements, from ramps (to) town centres, (to) revitalise the community spaces.

“Some facilities have aged. There is also demand for more facilities, for example, covered walkways.”

Two of the renewal programmes, focusing on block and precinct improvements and managed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB), will be completed by September, he said. The third, which aims to benefit 2,056 households, will be completed by March 2019.

The budget for the three programmes totals S$16.2 million, according to the HDB.

The improvements include the addition of ramps, playgrounds, fitness stations and basketball courts, as well as the upgrading of existing plazas and sporting facilities.

Earlier in the morning, Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu met residents and stall owners in Woodlands.

Her three-hour community visit ended with a closed-door dialogue with grassroots leaders and religious organisations at Woodlands Community Club.

“I’m very impressed by the upgrading that has been done. It’s not big structures, but little improvements here and there (that) make a lot of sense to the residents,” she told reporters after her walkabout.

“This is a relatively younger estate in the sense that there is a higher proportion of younger children and teenagers. So they’ve put in sporting equipment, facilities that meet the younger people’s needs. I’m very happy to see that improvements ... cater to the needs of the people.”