A new community hub in Upper East Coast, named the Joo Chiat Community Hub, is set to replace the 65-year-old Siglap South Community Centre at Palm Road. Located along Upper East Coast Road, the hub will be three times larger than its predecessor, featuring co-working spaces, a theatre, and sports facilities such as a gym and a jogging track. At a community event offering a “sneak peek” of the hub’s design, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong revealed that the plans were shaped through extensive consultation with residents to ensure the space feels welcoming and meets their needs.

The hub’s design emphasizes three core themes: sports, the arts, and innovative spaces for collaboration. Key features include a gym and jogging track with scenic views, a sports hall, a multi-purpose atrium, and co-working spaces. For the arts, the hub will house a black box theatre and a jamming studio, creating vibrant spaces for music and creative expression. It will also offer practical amenities such as over 200 parking lots. According to the Joo Chiat Constituency Office, consultations with thousands of residents between 2020 and 2024 played a crucial role in shaping the hub to reflect the community’s evolving aspirations.

While the hub will not include a hawker center, Mr. Tong explained this decision aligns with the area’s abundance of established eateries, ensuring the hub complements its surroundings. Instead, the development aims to work in harmony with nearby coffee shops and restaurants, incorporating them into the broader community experience. The project’s final cost has yet to be determined but will be funded through a combination of government support, Tote Board funding, and community fundraising efforts. As Mr. Tong highlighted, the hub is a project shaped by the community, for the community.

Source: CNA