FAMILY FUN ON THE WATERFRONT

A new SAFRA clubhouse - located in Punggol - opens its doors on 24 Apr. Here's a sneak peek of what to expect.

Live in Northeast Singapore? Skip the usual weekend pilgrimage to the mall and head to SAFRA's Punggol clubhouse - the latest in its stable of six clubhouses - when it opens at the end of the month.

Located at 9 Sentul Crescent, a sleepy side-road now, the five-storey SAFRA Punggol clubhouse offers fitness facilities, enrichment centres and Singapore's first indoor water playground.

With Sam Kee LRT station literally next door and Punggol MRT station a six-minute walk away, getting to the clubhouse is easy.

The North Eastern Riverine Loop of the Park Connector Network (PCN) is right at the doorstep of the clubhouse.

Add the fact that an estimated 80,000 Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and their families live in the Northeast region, it is clear to see why the area will not stay sleepy for long.

Waterway gem

The clubhouse takes advantage of its waterfront location with expansive glass frontages and large open areas on all levels overlooking the waterway.

Inside, the clubhouse hosts a 16,000sqft EnergyOne gym and other leisure offerings such as a 24-lane bowling centre, a yoga studio, and a spa and wellness facility.

Speaking to the media after a tour of the clubhouse on 14 Jan, Senior Minister of State for Defence Ong Ye Kung said: "This will be a jewel in SAFRA's range of clubhouses and it will be completed on time and on budget.

"Investing in this (clubhouse) is a form of continual recognition to our NSmen for their contribution towards national defence," said Mr Ong who is also President of SAFRA.

The $64.4-million eco-friendly clubhouse has energy-efficient lighting, naturally ventilated common areas, and a solar-energy system. It was awarded the Green Mark Platinum award by the Building and Construction Authority for its green design.

The result is an estimated $30,000 in savings each month for electricity and utilities bills, said Major (MAJ) (NS) Terence Quek, Chairperson of the SAFRA Punggol development committee.

Seamless access

Other unique features built into the new clubhouse include a bicycle and inline-skate rental kiosk.

After a day of roaming the extensive PCN (the North Eastern Riverine Loop is about 25km long), patrons can return the rental bicycles or inline-skates at any of the kiosks along the loop.

Members will also enjoy direct access to the upcoming Punggol Regional Sports Centre next door which will have swimming and other sports facilities. "We designed the clubhouse to be porous and open, a place where NSmen can come to bond with family and friends," explained MAJ (NS) Quek.

Thoughtful facilities

When it came to deciding the mix of tenants and facilities, the development committee went back to basics and consulted the very people whom the clubhouse would serve. "We held focus group discussions to find out from NSmen what kind of facilities they needed," said MAJ (NS) Quek of the conceptualisation process, which took about three years.

The result is a clubhouse with a mix of old favourites and new offerings. For example, SAFRA members will be familiar with the EnergyOne gym (the largest gym in the Punggol estate) and leisure facilities such as K Box (a family karaoke outlet) and a bowling alley.

Then there are new twists on the familiar such as Splash@Kidz Amaze, a three-storey indoor water playground spanning 23,000sq ft.

Designed with an undersea theme, the playground has eight different play decks, five slides and a splash pad. Children's parties can also be held there with the adjoining function rooms.

Enriching experience

Five enrichment centres will provide a variety of educational programmes spanning linguistics to gymnastics.

There will also be a NurtureStars Preschool with capacity for 120 children. Given the increasing number of families moving into the Northeast, the preschool addresses demand for childcare places in Punggol. Priority will be given to SAFRA members.

Hunger pangs strike after all that activity? The clubhouse has got it covered with seven food & beverage outlets ranging from fast food to family restaurants such as Jack's Place.

The clubhouse will hold a soft opening on 24 Apr. Members will enjoy complimentary access to selected facilities and special discounts at participating merchants.

Follow SAFRA Punggol's official social media page (facebook.com/SAFRApg) for more details.

Facilities at SAFRA Punggol