IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Mr Chay said the TPID was “uniquely equipped” to balance high-performance sports with “meaningful community engagement”.
To ensure this, there needs to be a “clear strategy that prioritises accessibility and multi-use functionality”, he added.
“Authorities should schedule programming that invites residents to use the facilities regularly, such as community sports days, recreational swimming slots or even fitness workshops.”
Former chief executive officer of Singapore Sports Hub Oon Jin Teik also praised the TPID’s integrated nature and mix of offerings.
He noted that it has a predecessor to “take a cue” from – Our Tampines Hub (OTH).
The former national swimmer said OTH, which opened in 2017, has been “highly successful” in terms of community engagement.
The facility has a 5,000-seater stadium, a sports hall and swimming pools as well as lifestyle and food and beverage options such as a library, hawker centre and retail shops.
For TPID, practical steps can be taken to ensure that community needs are met, Mr Oon suggested.
For instance, in the indoor hall with badminton courts, seats should be modular and retractable and used only during events.
“So that they do not create white elephant spaces with permanent seats,” he said.
“The community wants to ‘play’ – not watch – due to the shortage of indoor halls for badminton.”
