INTERIM STADIUMS FOR KEY SPORTING EVENTS

INTERIM STADIUMS FOR KEY SPORTING EVENTS

**

(Provision): **

25.

Mr Zainudin Nordin asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports while awaiting for the completion of the new Sports Hub, whether the Ministry has plans to provide Singapore's sporting fraternity with a reasonably sized interim stadium(s) for key sporting events and, if so, whether these will be able to meet the international standards in terms of safety, security, comfort, lighting and ambience.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: We have no plans to build an interim stadium whilst the Sports Hub is being built as it is not cost effective. This is especially so with the present escalating construction cost. The more cost effective way is maximise current facilities for our sporting events.

Some of our existing stadiums are undergoing upgrading developments. For example, with temporary stands, Bishan Stadium will see an increase in seating capacity from 3,000 to 10,000. Improvements in lighting and supporting amenities will also be made to the Bishan, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong West Stadiums. With these upgrading, safety for spectators and participants and the overall spectator experience in our sports facilities will be enhanced.

Key sports events requiring a spectator seating of more than 10,000 can be held at the Padang. In addition, the Marina Floating Platform, with its seating capacity of over 25,000 and a panoramic view of the city skyline, is also suitable for organising sports and entertainment events.