Welcome to Simon Tan’s Arena of Dreams

SINGAPORE — After leaving his job as an assistant director at ActiveSG in 2014, Simon Tan spent over two years chasing his dream of opening a multi-sport complex in Singapore that would appeal to the entire family.

Having met several freelance sports instructors and vendors during his time at ActiveSG, the 38-year-old wanted to open a facility that would serve as a one-stop venue for these practitioners to provide their services.

But his journey towards achieving his dream was no easy ride. He faced countless rejections and setbacks along the way, and battled constantly with self-doubt and uncertainty.

During that period, Tan, who is married with no children, was unemployed. He had to cut back on his expenses while relying on his savings to tide him through.

But on Saturday (April 8), Tan’s hard work and sacrifices finally paid off as his dream came to fruition with the official opening of The Arena.

Describing itself as a ‘football-thematic lifestyle destination’, The Arena not only boasts one 11-a-side, two seven-a-side and three five-a-side pitches on its 1.86-hectare premises, but also various fitness studios, a rock-climbing wall and a boxing gym.

It also features the first-ever Cafe Football in Asia. The football-themed restaurant franchise is a business venture between real-estate firm Rowsley Limited and former Manchester United stars Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, who were both present at the opening of The Arena.

But while Tan may be enjoying the fruits of his labour now, he still remembers the struggles he went through to turn The Arena from a dream into reality.

“To have a facility with football fields, fitness studios and a restaurant, it meant we had to find a venue of a certain size,” Tan, who is a trained commercial pilot, told TODAY.

“But land is scarce here and for almost two years, we just couldn’t find a suitable location despite searching almost all over the country.

“It was very tough, and there were times when I was unsure if my dream could be achieved. In addition, I wasn’t gainfully employed because I was so tied up with this venture.

“So sometime in February last year, I almost threw in the towel because I felt I was being unfair to my wife and had to be a responsible husband.”

But Tan’s wife, an account director with an events company, told him not to give up.

“With that extra push from her and assurance, I decided to persevere,” he said.

“My friends - Derrick Goh and Russell Goh - who are now my partners, were also there for me throughout. Their continuous support was another key factor in helping make my dream of The Arena come true.”

BREAKTHROUGH

In April 2016, Tan had a breakthrough of sorts when he learnt that the Public Utilities Board (PUB) Recreation Club had opened up its premises for tender.

While recognising the venue as ideal for his envisioned multi-sport facility, Tan knew he would face an uphill task convincing the PUB to select his bid as he was going up against “the big players” in the property and facilities industries.

Against the odds, Tan, who roped in local footballing icon Fandi Ahmad to help him out in the conceptualisation of The Arena, won the tender.

With the venue secured, Tan and hisr partners pumped in around S$2 million in total to transform the place.

He conceded though he had not intended for The Arena to have such a heavy emphasis on football.

It was only after a meeting with Giggs and Neville  – who he counts as friends after getting to know them while working in Abu Dhabi in 2010 – that he decided to make The Arena a football-themed facility.

“We decided this would be a football-themed place only last October,” revealed the former national youth and Balestier Khalsa goalkeeper.

“It was Giggs who questioned my plans to make this a fitness hub.

“He told me to just make the place about football. After all, I’m a former footballer and the sport runs in my blood. Neville agreed, and given they’re both famous footballers and successful businessmen, I decided to follow their advice.”

Neville came here to look at the facility and was suitably impressed. The ex-England international decided then that The Arena was where he wanted to open the region’s first Cafe Football franchise.

The final piece of the puzzle complete, The Arena finally opened its doors on Jan 2 this year.

GIVING BACK

According to Tan, business has steadily increased over the past four months. Their bottom line has also been helped by securing two football schools - the JSSL Singapore academy and the Real Madrid Foundation - as their long-term clients.

One of Tan’s key aims for The Arena however, is to use the facility to give back to local football and in particular, to Singapore’s ex-internationals.

Former Lions enjoy discounts when they dine at Cafe Football, and also get free use of the football pitches at selected timings.

“There is a lack of recognition for these players who fought for the country on the pitch and gave us fans so many good times in the past,” explained Tan.

“So one of my goals wasd for these players to use and enjoy the facililty. Eventually, I want this place to be the home of the ex-Singapore internationals.

“I also try to use The Arena as a platform to give back to them in other ways. For example, one of the first people I asked to join me was (former national captain) Razali Saad, who is now our general manager.

“I’ve given business to Malek Awab (who works for a sports goods company) by buying Molten footballs (from his company) for The Arena.

“I’ve also asked Jeremy Chiang, who owns Churros Factory, to sell his products here.

“I try to help them out however I can using The Arena as a medium.”

Razali said Tan’s passion for football was a key reason for his decision to leave the shipping industry, which he has worked in for 30 years, and join The Arena.

“Simon’s dedication to the sport, and how he managed to get The Arena going, really impressed me,” said the 52-year-old.

“It wasn’t easy to leave the shipping industry after so long, but I was won over by his sincerity in wanting me to join him.”

Now that The Arena has been launched, Tan’s next goal is to ensure that the facility’s operations are well-run over the next year.

And while it may still be early days yet, he is already toying with the idea of bringing The Arena concept overseas.

“For now, I want to concentrate on perfecting the operations of this place,” said Tan.

“I want to get it up and running and eventually let it run on auto-pilot.

“Then I want to expand this to an alternative location.

“To be honest, I don’t think I can find another place like this in Singapore, so perhaps I will bring it to another country in the region.”