New $57.3 million SAFRA club to be built in Punggol
Another club will go up in the north-west, while Tampines and Mt Faber ones will undergo a revamp
By Daryl Chin, The Straits Times, 19 Jun 2014
Another club will go up in the north-west, while Tampines and Mt Faber ones will undergo a revamp
By Daryl Chin, The Straits Times, 19 Jun 2014
PUNGGOL town will soon see a new SAFRA club on its waterfront as the Government ramps up efforts to recognise the sacrifices made by national servicemen.
Details of the $57.3 million facility, located in the north-east of Singapore and slated to be ready in early 2016, were revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean at the ground-breaking ceremony yesterday.
Mr Teo also announced that the Government will be building a SAFRA club in the north-west, as well as revamping two of the five existing ones.
The club in Tampines will be redeveloped to offer more sports facilities, while SAFRA Mount Faber will be turned into an "executive lifestyle club", which promises a new mix of tenants.
The club in Tampines will be redeveloped to offer more sports facilities, while SAFRA Mount Faber will be turned into an "executive lifestyle club", which promises a new mix of tenants.
"The SAFRA club house is an important symbol," said Mr Teo, who is also the Coordinating Minister for National Security.
"(It) will be a constant reminder of what our NSmen are defending - our homes, families and the special Singapore that we have built together.
"It (also) allows us all to show our appreciation for (NSmen's) efforts and sacrifices, providing them with a wholesome environment to enjoy quality time with their loved ones."
Membership at SAFRA clubs are open to Singaporeans who have done their national service, and their families.
The other three existing SAFRA clubs are at Jurong, Toa Payoh and Yishun.
SAFRA Punggol will be a five-storey, 19,430 sq m club located in Sentul Crescent, perched next to the Punggol Waterway and a few minutes' walk from the upcoming Sam Kee LRT station. It will feature Kidz Amaze, a first-of-its-kind 23,000 sq ft indoor water playground that spans three storeys, as well as a large eco-themed childcare centre.
SAFRA Punggol will be a five-storey, 19,430 sq m club located in Sentul Crescent, perched next to the Punggol Waterway and a few minutes' walk from the upcoming Sam Kee LRT station. It will feature Kidz Amaze, a first-of-its-kind 23,000 sq ft indoor water playground that spans three storeys, as well as a large eco-themed childcare centre.
Major (NS) Terence Quek, chairman of SAFRA Punggol's development committee, said these facilities were designed to address the needs of young NSmen, many of whom might be raising children in the near future.
More than 70,000 NSmen are expected to be living in the area by 2016.
Hougang resident Stratford Teo, 34, said the club in Punggol would be more convenient to visit than the Mount Faber one he goes to now. "I will be able to save travelling time and spend it instead with family and friends," he said.
But not everyone is keen on the new Punggol SAFRA club. Said Punggol resident James Wong, 35:"Although it is a nice gesture, not every NSmen goes to these clubs. I would much prefer the funds be channelled directly to us."
* Official opening of SAFRA Punggol - 24 Nov 2016
Safra looking into 7th clubhouse, in north-west
DPM Teo says this at SAFRA Punggol's official opening; Tampines clubhouse to get upgrade
By Zhaki Abdullah, The Straits Times, 25 Nov 2016
SAFRA is planning to build a new clubhouse for national servicemen (NSmen) and their families in the north-western part of the island.
The club will be the seventh here.
This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean at yesterday's official opening of SAFRA Punggol, where he also said SAFRA Tampines will be upgraded.
A slew of activities will also be organised next year to commemorate 50 years of national service in Singapore and the 45th anniversary of SAFRA, added DPM Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security.
These include a SAFRA Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon, a charity swim, and a celebratory dinner for SAFRA volunteers and corporate partners.
"SAFRA and HomeTeam NS will also work together to provide a suite of benefits for NSmen and their families," he said, adding that SAFRA will progressively implement green measures at its clubhouses.
These will be similar to those at SAFRA Punggol, which are estimated to save 700 tonnes of carbon emissions, and generate savings of $360,000 in electricity and utility bills annually.
The Punggol clubhouse is the first to receive the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark Platinum award, as well as the National Parks Board's landscape excellence assessment framework certification.
Also in attendance at yesterday's opening were Minister for Defence and SAFRA's board of governors chairman Ng Eng Hen; Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung, who is also SAFRA president; and Senior Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Osman, the deputy president of SAFRA.
Since its soft launch in April, SAFRA Punggol - built at a cost of $64.4 million - has received about 150,000 visitors a month.
In his speech, DPM Teo praised the efforts of NSmen, saying they had helped defend Singapore for almost five decades.
He added that all Singaporeans must remain vigilant in the face of terror threats.
"We are stronger as one people and we must not allow issues of race, language or religion to divide our communities," he said.
But not everyone is keen on the new Punggol SAFRA club. Said Punggol resident James Wong, 35:"Although it is a nice gesture, not every NSmen goes to these clubs. I would much prefer the funds be channelled directly to us."
* Official opening of SAFRA Punggol - 24 Nov 2016
Safra looking into 7th clubhouse, in north-west
DPM Teo says this at SAFRA Punggol's official opening; Tampines clubhouse to get upgrade
By Zhaki Abdullah, The Straits Times, 25 Nov 2016
SAFRA is planning to build a new clubhouse for national servicemen (NSmen) and their families in the north-western part of the island.
The club will be the seventh here.
This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean at yesterday's official opening of SAFRA Punggol, where he also said SAFRA Tampines will be upgraded.
A slew of activities will also be organised next year to commemorate 50 years of national service in Singapore and the 45th anniversary of SAFRA, added DPM Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security.
These include a SAFRA Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon, a charity swim, and a celebratory dinner for SAFRA volunteers and corporate partners.
"SAFRA and HomeTeam NS will also work together to provide a suite of benefits for NSmen and their families," he said, adding that SAFRA will progressively implement green measures at its clubhouses.
These will be similar to those at SAFRA Punggol, which are estimated to save 700 tonnes of carbon emissions, and generate savings of $360,000 in electricity and utility bills annually.
The Punggol clubhouse is the first to receive the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark Platinum award, as well as the National Parks Board's landscape excellence assessment framework certification.
Also in attendance at yesterday's opening were Minister for Defence and SAFRA's board of governors chairman Ng Eng Hen; Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung, who is also SAFRA president; and Senior Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Osman, the deputy president of SAFRA.
Since its soft launch in April, SAFRA Punggol - built at a cost of $64.4 million - has received about 150,000 visitors a month.
In his speech, DPM Teo praised the efforts of NSmen, saying they had helped defend Singapore for almost five decades.
He added that all Singaporeans must remain vigilant in the face of terror threats.
"We are stronger as one people and we must not allow issues of race, language or religion to divide our communities," he said.
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