BUKIT TIMAH RACE COURSE (Plans for improvement)

Dr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for Finance (a) what are the values of the structures on the Bukit Timah race course; (b) what is the plan of the Singapore Totalisator Board for the improvement of the race course and how much will it cost; and (c) what is the planning horizon, in terms of years, used by the Board in its plan for the race course.

The Minister for Finance (Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Bukit Timah has asked three questions and I will answer them in order. First, the structures on the Bukit Timah Racecourse include the grandstands, carparks, officials' residences, staff quarters and stables. Some of these structures are more than 20 years old and are almost fully depreciated. The net book value of these structures as at 31st March 1988 was $35 million.

The second question relates to the plan of the Singapore Totalisator Board for the improvement of the race course and its costs. As announced earlier, the Board is considering proposals to make better use of the race course, which is located on prime land and sprawls over an area of 135 hectares, adjacent to a major trunk road. 135 hectares is equal to roughly 300 acres and, for his elucidation, this is equivalent to roughly 1,000 bungalow lots of about 10,000 sq ft each. This includes the provision of facilities for sports, social and recreational purposes. It is premature to estimate the cost of the facilities until the development plans are firmed up.

The Board is also placing priority on improvements to the road system in and around the Racecourse. The traffic congestion on weekends is a real problem to residents and road-users. The Board's aim is to be able to make the necessary changes to alleviate this problem as quickly as possible.

The final question is on the planning horizon of the Tote Board. Improvements which can be introduced without substantial capital outlay will be implemented as soon as planning decisions have been decided.

In the longer term, however, it may be desirable to find an alternative site for the race course. Such a move would be subject to the availability of suitable sites elsewhere and the planning horizon is unlikely to be before the early 1990s.