SAFRA PUNGGOL CLUBHOUSE ON TIME & ON BUDGET

SAFRA's upcoming clubhouse in Punggol looks to be ready "on time and on budget", said Senior Minister of State for Defence Ong Ye Kung during his tour of the construction site on 14 Jan.

The clubhouse, which will open its doors in April this year, will cater to the 80,000 Operationally Ready National Servicemen living in the area. It will be the sixth SAFRA clubhouse.

At the building cost of $64.4 million, the five-storey clubhouse plans to have a soft-launch event on 24 Apr for members to enjoy free access to selected facilities and discounts at participating merchants.

Fronting the Punggol waterway, it will be the first SAFRA clubhouse to feature a cycling and rollerblading kiosk. What's more, patrons will be able to return the rental bicycles and rollerblades at any kiosk along the Park Connector Network.

Located at 9 Sentul Crescent, SAFRA Punggol is a 6-minute walk from Punggol MRT station and a minute away from Sam Kee LRT station.

Speaking to the media after his visit, Mr Ong said: "Every effort has been made to make sure that access to facilities is seamless, such as to the upcoming Regional Sports Centre.

"This will be a jewel in SAFRA's range of clubhouses."

With the Regional Sports Centre just next door, the clubhouse will build on this and offer a good mix of products and services.

"When we call for tenants (in our clubhouses), we don't look at price alone. They are assessed based on the benefits they can offer our NSmen members," said Mr Ong, who is also President of SAFRA.

For example, one of the restaurants due to operate in the clubhouse will offer a 20 percent discount to members due to lower rental costs that it was able to pass down to SAFRA members.

"We have invested in building this clubhouse, really as a form of continuous recognition for our NSmen for all their contributions towards national defence."

This new clubhouse will also host the first kid's indoor water playground in the country. Named Splash@Kids Amaze, the playground spans 23,000 sq ft. The mega three-storey facility will have eight play decks, five slides and a themed splash pad. Party rooms, which are connected to the playground, will also be available for rent.

The new clubhouse is built on a 1.45-hectare plot of land and boasts a gross floor area of 19,995 sq m.

Said Major (NS) Terence Quek, Chairman of the SAFRA Punggol Development Committee: "In designing the clubhouse, we were conscious about energy and water conservation."

Fun aside, it is the first SAFRA club to be awarded the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Platinum Award. It is the highest-possible award under the Green Mark scheme that assesses buildings for energy and water efficiency, environmental protection, green features and other areas of environmental friendliness.

For example, the clubhouse is first in SAFRA's stable designed with a naturally ventilated atrium and corridors.

Full LED lighting is also used throughout the clubhouse, with a solar-powered system. Tenants will also be required to use energy-efficient air conditioning systems and adopt recycling strategies. All in all, these features are estimated to save about $30,000 per month for the clubhouse in utilities alone.

"We are really excited about the upcoming opening of the clubhouse. There will be something for every NSman," said MAJ (NS) Quek.

For more information, visit www.safra.sg/en/About-SAFRA/Overview/SAFRA-Punggol-coming-soon.aspx