ONE-STOP HUB FOR NSMEN

The first clubhouse for Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), SAFRA Toa Payoh, reopens in October three times bigger, catering to the changing needs of its members as it becomes a one-stop shop for learning and having fun.

With a gross floor area of about 24,000 sq m or four football fields, the newly-redeveloped SAFRA Toa Payoh clubhouse is one head-turner. Currently the largest in SAFRA's stable of clubhouses, it sports a "beacon" that is hard to miss, whether you are going by public transport or driving in from the expressway.

The cylindrical-shaped feature and coloured pop-up frames mounted on the aluminium facade of the four-storey building are defining features of the new building, which took 28 months to complete since demolition work on the old clubhouse began in June 2010.

"It's like women," said Mr Johnny Tan, Chairman of SAFRA Toa Payoh's Development Committee, using an analogy to explain the building's simple but outstanding design.

"When you put on all kinds of make-up and jewellery, there's just too much glitter. But if you keep everything simple and have one or two highlights, it stands out. It's the same with the building."

On how the idea for redevelopment came about, Mr Tan said: "SAFRA Toa Payoh is the oldest clubhouse in the SAFRA stable and therefore, the facilities were dated and the site was not optimised. In keeping with the expectations of members, there was a need to refresh it."

Adapting and reinventing

To stay on top of the changing needs and aspirations of NSmen, SAFRA conducts periodic surveys. In the latest review in 2011, chaired by then-SAFRA President Lawrence Wong, more than 1,800 NSmen were asked what they wanted from SAFRA.

The feedback was consolidated and in addition to the upgrading of clubhouses, SAFRA is enhancing its programmes to build deeper cohesion among NSmen as well as benefits for SAFRA members so that they enjoy more membership perks and promotions.

These initiatives were announced by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen in July at SAFRA's 12th anniversary and awards dinner. In his address, Dr Ng said: "It's a new generation of NSmen and we need to adapt, reinvent ourselves in order to remain relevant."

Attracting NSmen

Themed the "edutainment hub", the new SAFRA Toa Payoh will provide programmes that focus on three "E"s - Education, Enrichment and Entertainment - explained Mr Tan, who led an eight-man team of NSman volunteers and SAFRA staff to oversee the redevelopment. This way, it caters to a broad spectrum of NSmen, such as those who have just completed their full-time NS, those with young families and those in their fifties.

All these factors increase dwell time - the amount of time visitors spend within the clubhouse - which is an area of concern that arose from a review that took place in the early 2000s.

"To keep the vibrancy of the hub, you need dwell time, you need people to be here," said Mr Tan, who added that the club was targeting an increase of two to three hours in visitors' dwell time from the current one hour.

Amenities galore

Those living in the vicinity can look forward to Bishan-Toa Payoh's first bowling centre operated by SuperBowl and even a beer garden located at the top storey which offers a scenic view overlooking the clubhouse's three swimming pools - a six-lane 50m lap pool, a training pool and a waterplay feature pool for children.

The clubhouse will also be home to food and beverage outlets like Toast Box and Aston Specialties, learning centres like Medley Music School and One Learning Space, as well as entertainment and sports facilities like Gymnademics. "(It's) a happy leverage on both entertainment and education programmes", said Mr Tan, an architect and arbitrator by profession.

NSmen can also make use of the IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test) Centre located within its 16,000 sq ft (1,500 sq m) EnergyOne gym to train for their annual physical fitness test.

Within the clubhouse, the interior is planned around different functional zones: entertainment, education, chill-out and sports. This allowed the committee to identify and create the best ambience for each zone to maximise visitors' comfort, said Mr Tan, who also chaired SAFRA Jurong's development committee.

SAFRA is expecting about 100,000 visitors monthly when the redeveloped clubhouse opens its doors to the public in October.

On how he hopes NSmen would describe SAFRA Toa Payoh, Mr Tan said: "I think my mission and purpose would be served if members said 'We enjoy coming to SAFRA, we want to come back and this is my club of choice.'"

What NSmen are looking forward to:

"I stay in Serangoon so SAFRA Toa Payoh is the nearest clubhouse to me... The pool is now bigger at the new clubhouse, and there's also a revamped gym and bowling alley. I'm definitely looking forward to visiting the new clubhouse."
- CPL (NS) Nelson Khoo, 27, 801st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment

"I stay in Hougang and visited the old SAFRA Toa Payoh clubhouse twice or thrice. But the facilities used to be quite sparse, so I frequented SAFRA Yishun instead. I'm looking forward to the swimming pool at the new clubhouse because I take my children, aged six and eight, to the pool quite often. I would say the facilities in the new SAFRA clubhouses are comparable to private clubhouses. I've taken friends to visit and they were quite impressed with the facilities at the newer clubhouses."
- CPL (NS) Chan Kwai Keong, 40, 2nd Combat Support Hospital