COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HOUGANG AVENUE 8 OR 10

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Community Development whether the People's Association has any plans to build a temporary community centre in the neighbourhood of Hougang Avenue 8 or 10; and whether it plans to build a modern community centre in Hougang New Town.

The Minister for Labour (Mr Lee Yock Suan): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am replying in my capacity as Deputy Chairman of the People's Association.

Hougang New Town will have about 30,000 dwelling units when it is fully developed by 1990. Based on the population catchment approach approved by the Government for building community centres, the New Town will need three modern community centres, each to serve about 10,000 families living within its vicinity. There are already two modern community centres located within Hougang New Town. These are the Paya Lebar Community Centre at Surin Avenue and the Punggol Community Centre at Hougang Avenue 3. The People's Association is considering building a third modern community centre in the neighbourhood of Hougang Avenue 8 or 10.

The PA will discuss further with the Member for Punggol, his community leaders and the HDB regarding the proposed community centre. As it will take several years to plan and build the centre, it may be necessary to set up a temporary centre in the vicinity, preferably to be housed in shophouse units which can be returned to the HDB once the modern centre has been built.