SINGAPORE - East Coast Park, Singapore's most popular park, looks set to draw even more visitors when a multi-generational wellness garden is completed in end 2023. The KPMG Wellness Garden, which is expected to be just over one football field in size, aims to be an inclusive space with features like ramps for the elderly and those with impaired mobility. The garden will have four zones to cater to different generations - Therapeutic Gardens, Nature Playgarden, Pond Trail and Nature Fitness Area. The Therapeutic Gardens will have a rustic coastal theme that will facilitate users' interactions with nature and improve their mental well-being. Therapeutic horticulture sessions will take root here, with raised planter boxes opening access for those in wheelchairs. This therapeutic garden is set to be the first in East Coast Park and is part of a National Parks Board (NParks) plan to have 30 throughout Singapore by 2030. Kids can go wild at the Nature Playgarden that is also designed for those with impaired mobility, such as a raised sand play box, a lookout platform accessible by ramp and a raised musical play station. The Pond Trail allows visitors to stroll around a pond and appreciate coastal flowers planted by NParks. For those who prefer a more hectic physical workout, they can head to the Nature Fitness Area which is for people of all ages and built with materials like recycled logs. The plans for the KPMG Wellness Garden were unveiled on Wednesday (Nov 24) by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration. A ceremonial tree planting at the site of the future garden was held to commemorate the event. He said: "Having amenities that cater to every visitor, from the young to the elderly and for users of different abilities all together in one space, will make the Wellness Garden a wonderful place for people to bond." Mr Lee also touched on the importance of private and public partnerships in driving Singapore towards sustainability goals, with a mature Penaga Laut tree in East Coast Park, conserved under NParks' heritage tree scheme, dedicated by the board to KPMG for the latter's significant efforts towards greening Singapore. The funds to set up the KPMG Wellness Garden were contributed by the multinational accounting firm as part of its global commitment worth US$1.5 billion (S$2.1 billion) to drive solutions for environment, social and governance over the next three years. Mr Ong Pang Thye, managing partner of KPMG in Singapore, said: "It is only through collective thought and will that we can seek a paradigm shift - core to KPMG's belief as it works with governments and businesses to build a lasting world for many generations." East Coast Park is Singapore's most popular park and draws about 7.5 million visitors annually. Recent developments include the opening of Coastal PlayGrove, a 4.5ha attraction with tube slides and water play areas. The family-friendly destination was opened on the site of defunct water theme park, Big Splash, in March this year. Another highlight that Singaporeans can look forward to is a 15km nature trail running the entire length of East Coast Park in about 10 years.
SINGAPORE - The heavily industrialised West Coast of Singapore will by 2030 get an infusion of greenery that will include almost 40 new nature-based amenities, such as community gardening plots and therapeutic gardens. Two nature-themed inclusive play areas for children are also on the cards in West Coast and Telok Blangah Hill parks, while industrial estates in the area will also be planted up with 150,000 trees - helping these urban heat hot spots cool down and making the environment there more comfortable for workers. These were among the greening plans for the West Coast area announced by the National Parks Board (NParks) on Saturday (Sept 4) morning, during the opening of the first section of Pasir Panjang Park. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, who is also an MP for West Coast GRC, officiated the opening of the 450m-stretch of the park. Plans for Pasir Panjang Park were first announced in January last year. This first stretch to be opened runs from Pasir Panjang MRT station to the Jalan Pelepah residential estate. The entire park is expected to be completed by 2026. "(These) initiatives... are integral to our efforts to transform Singapore into a City in Nature," Mr Lee told the media at a virtual press conference. "By enhancing greenery within the heartland and industrial estates, we aim to mitigate the effects of climate change and urbanisation and provide Singaporeans with a higher-quality living environment and greater access to the benefits of nature on their health and well-being." The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon where urban structures such as concrete trap heat. It compounds the impacts of climate change, making urban areas much warmer than rural ones. Under the greening plan for the area, NParks said it will also plant more at the upcoming MRT stations for the Jurong Region Line, expected to be completed by 2029. Stations in the area, including Buona Vista, Dover and Boon Lay have already been greened up, NParks said. The Board also plans to work with ground-up groups such as the People's Association to create 30 new gardening spaces in the heartland by 2030. There are currently more than 120 community and allotment gardens in housing estates and parkland in West Coast. Two new therapeutic gardens to help relieve mental fatigue and stress will also bloom by 2030 in Jurong Central and West Coast parks. Another 24 community care facilities, such as those for seniors, have been identified as areas where therapeutic gardens or features could be installed, NParks said. NParks had earlier collaborated with the National University Health System on two research studies to investigate the benefits of therapeutic horticulture on the mental well-being and cognitive functioning of the elderly. The first study, which focused on healthy seniors, showed that there was an improvement in the psychological status, biological markers and immune cell composition of the participants. The second study, carried out on elderly from senior care centres, showed that participants maintained healthy sleep patterns and psychological health, and showed significant reduction in anxiety and improvement in cognitive functioning. More on this topic Related Story NParks to open wildlife rehabilitation facility as Singapore becomes a City in Nature Related Story Transforming Singapore into a City in Nature For people and wildlife The plans to green up the West Coast will also benefit Singapore's native wildlife. More than 10 nature ways - or tiered roadside planting designed to mimic the multi-layered structure of forests - will be implemented. Six of them will be planted up over the next two years, NParks said. These nature ways will serve as corridors for wild animals moving between Labrador Nature Reserve in the east and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in the north. These corridors had been mapped out by NParks in an effort to join up Singapore's green areas - an important project that aims to help native animals meet and breed in the Republic's fragmented forest landscape. A map showing nature ways and recreational routes in the West Coast. GRAPHIC: NPARKS NParks also said that 14 sites located away from residential areas and close to green and rustic locations have been identified for "rewilding" , allowing wild flowers that captured the public's imagination during the circuit breaker last year to grow with minimal maintenance. Native wild grasses will also be introduced to these sites to help make the habitat more conducive for Singapore's wildlife. "We look forward to working together with the families and communities in West Coast to shape these plans and turn them into reality," said Mr Lee. "In these ways, we aim to create more inclusive green spaces for all Singaporeans to enjoy." More on this topic Related Story NParks working with town councils to stop use of poison in wildlife control measures Related Story Experts working on map to help S'pore's wild animals navigate fragmented forests
SINGAPORE - At 5.15am on Saturday (Aug 28), minutes before the Thomson-East Coast Line gantry at Caldecott MRT station officially opened to the public, a middle-aged man in a blue shirt and shorts walked to station personnel and said: "I want to take the first train." It was also a nostalgic trip for the school teacher, Mr Yap Siew Meng, 49, because in the 1980s, he was among the first to ride an MRT train when services for the mass rapid transit started and stations opened. On Saturday, Mr Yap joined at least three other passengers who were the first to be travel along the newly opened extended stretch of the Thomson-East Coast Line, spanning six stations from Caldecott to Springleaf. The first train at Caldecott MRT station departed at 5.50am, at the crack of dawn. At around 7am, trains were starting to fill up slowly, with about four passengers scattered around each car. The highly anticipated six-station stretch, named TEL2, connects the new Springleaf, Lentor, Mayflower, Bright Hill, Upper Thomson and Caldecott stations. The line's first three stations - Woodlands North, Woodlands and Woodlands South, collectively called TEL1 - opened in January last year. Mr Yap, who lives in Bedok, woke up at 4.45am and took a cab to Caldecott station to catch the first train. He works in a school in Bishan and said he is likely to take the Thomson-East Coast Line more frequently in the coming years when the line extends to the east. "I saw many reports on (TEL2). It is brand new and I was excited. I wanted to be the first in Singapore to take the train." The Saturday MRT ride from the newly opened station was also a symbolic one for the teacher. In 1987, Mr Yap - then 15 years old - was one of the first to board an MRT train when operations began with just five stations on the North-South Line, from Toa Payoh to Yio Chu Kang. "I still have the train ticket from 1987, a golden-coloured ticket," he said. Mr Yap also has a hobby of making YouTube videos of bus, train and cable car rides, including trips to attractions such as Marina Bay Sands. He plans to upload his video of the first TEL2 train later in the day. Mr Yap Siew Meng, who lives in Bedok, woke up at 4.45am and took a cab to Caldecott MRT station to catch the first train. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN More on this topic Related Story Thomson-East Coast Line stage two opens on Aug 28 When fully completed around 2025, the 43km Thomson-East Coast Line will run from Woodlands North to Sungei Budok in the east, covering 32 stations. Saturday was the second stage of the line's opening, with nine stations in operation. The rest of the stations will progressively open in three more stages over the next few years. For Madam Lim Guek Lin, who lives near Caldecott, the extended train line will save a lot of travel time as she can now take a single train line up to Woodlands, where she works in an electronics factory. The 63-year-old was also one of the passengers on the first train on Saturday. Previously, to get to work, she had to take a bus to Braddell MRT station on the North-South Line and ride up to Sembawang station, before taking a bus to her workplace. With the TEL2, not only is her travel route more straightforward, Madam Lim can also get to work earlier. On her old route, the first North-South Line train only reaches Braddell later at 6.05am. "It's very late for me because by the time the bus I take arrives, it is often very packed and I can't board it. With the new line, it's much more convenient for me," said Madam Lim in Mandarin. A train enthusiast taking photographs along the Caldecott to Springleaf section of the Thomson-East Coast Line on Aug 28, 2021. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN TEL2 will have two interchanges - Caldecott station on the Circle Line; and Bright Hill on the future Cross Island Line. Trains along the Thomson-East Coast Line will arrive at stations every five minutes during peak hours and every nine minutes off-peak. The first train on Saturday took about 30 minutes to reach Woodlands North station from Caldecott. TEL2 was initially set to roll out in the second half of last year, but was delayed due to the pandemic and a review of the rail system software because of a major signalling fault on TEL1 last December. The current stretch from Woodlands North to Caldecott will benefit about 100,000 households. Once completed, the entire 32-station line will cost more than $25 billion, and it will also link to the upcoming cross-border rapid transit line to Johor Baru. Other early birds on the first train at TEL2 on Saturday morning were two father-son pairs. Two of the first commuters on board the 5:50am TEL train out of Caldecott station on Aug 28, 2021. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN Eleven-year-old Eamon Kwong and his father, Mr Adrian Kwong, boarded the first train at Upper Thomson station. Eamon said: "I wanted to see the train all new and clean. It's like a once-in-a-lifetime moment." Watching his son excitedly bound to the front of the train and seeing it zip through the tunnel felt like a blast from the past for Mr Kwong, 47. It brought back memories of his first MRT ride in 1987, when the first 6km stretch of the North-South Line was opened. "I remember when I was a kid, in 1987, taking the very first MRT segment. I remembered how exciting it was, so I thought I would just let him come and see (TEL2), and remember this moment." As for the second father-son duo, train lover Shion Adachi, 14, asked his father, Mr Kazuhiko Adachi, to drive him to Caldecott station from their home in Clementi. "My son likes fast trains. He remembers his first train ride in Japan when he was three or four. His passion for trains has stuck with him ever since," said Mr Adachi, 49, who works in finance. The stations on the new stretch were designed to be pleasing to the eye, while keeping commuters' comfort in mind. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN Hailing from Japan, Shion and Mr Adachi have been living in Singapore for the past six years. Throughout the ride along the Thomson-East Coast Line, Shion and other commuters were busy taking videos of the ride and the train's interior. The stations on the new stretch were also designed to be pleasing to the eye, while keeping commuters' comfort in mind. Some benches at the six stations come with armrests and backrests. The signs at the stations also have larger fonts and simple icons so that they are easier to read. The exits are also indicated by numbers instead of letters. For the Thomson-East Coast Line trains, each train car has five doors, compared with four on other trains. This allows passengers to alight faster, and to avoid pushing through people when the train is crowded. For the Thomson-East Coast Line trains, each train car has five doors, compared with four on other trains. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN More on this topic Related Story Unique designs, seats with backrest among features at new Thomson-East Coast Line stations Related Story Treading a fine line in building Thomson-East Coast Line stations Various pieces of art - including drawings and artwork along the walls and station platforms, and art installations - have been installed at the six stations. While waiting for their train in Upper Thomson station, commuters can entertain themselves by looking for 88 drawings of animals hidden all over the station. At Mayflower station, passengers can snap pictures of tiny bird sculptures perched on different parts of the station. With numerous green spaces and nature trails such as MacRitchie Reservoir and Springleaf Nature Park located nearby, the TEL2 stations will make travelling more convenient for fitness enthusiasts and nature lovers. At the line's opening ceremony on Friday, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean said TEL2 may well become a "makan corridor", referencing the eateries near the stations. For example, Springleaf Prata Place - a stone's throw away from Springleaf MRT station - is a household name for roti prata, briyani, thosai and murtabak. Mr Kwong said: "A lot of people may get off at Upper Thomson station today because of the various ways it has been advertised - dining options and nature." More on this topic Related Story Good eats near 6 new MRT stations on Thomson-East Coast Line 2 Related Story 9 calorie-burning walks around Thomson-East Coast Line 2
Thomson-East Coast Line stage two opens on Aug 28, trains to arrive every five minutes at peak hours
SINGAPORE - Trains along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will arrive at stations every five minutes during peak hours and every nine minutes off-peak, when the second stage of the line opens on Saturday (Aug 28). This is up from the current frequency of 10 minutes during peak hours and 15 minutes during off-peak hours at the first three stations of TEL in Woodlands. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it will review the frequencies as ridership increases along TEL. Trains generally arrive at intervals of two to three minutes during peak hours from 7am to 9am on other MRT lines, and about five to seven minutes off-peak. The new six-station stretch, named TEL2, connects Springleaf, Lentor, Mayflower, Bright Hill, Upper Thomson and Caldecott stations. Three other stations - Woodlands North, Woodlands and Woodlands South - opened in January last year. TEL2 will have two interchanges - Caldecott, with the Circle Line; and Bright Hill, with the future Cross Island Line. An opening ceremony was held for TEL2 on Friday morning (Aug 27). Transport Minister S. Iswaran acknowledged the inconvenience to residents and shop owners around the area during construction, and thanked them for their patience. He added: "TEL2 adds to the reliability and resilience of our overall public transport system. I hope all Singaporeans will benefit and enjoy the convenience that our public transport brings to them." Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, the event's guest-of-honour, said TEL2 may well become a "makan corridor"- referencing the eateries near the stations. (From left) LTA chief Ng Lang, Transport Minister S. Iswaran, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, LTA chairman Alan Chan and SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming at the opening ceremony on Aug 27, 2021. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Transport Minister S. Iswaran (left) and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean snapping photos of the TEL2 tunnel on Aug 27, 2021. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO More on this topic Related Story Unique designs, seats with backrest among features at new Thomson-East Coast Line stations TEL2 was initially set to roll out in the second half of last year, but was delayed due to the pandemic and a review of the rail system software because of a major signalling fault on TEL1 last December. Transport Minister S. Iswaran has said TEL1 and TEL2 alone will benefit about 100,000 households. When fully completed in around 2025, the 43km, 32-station TEL is expected to have an average daily ridership of 500,000 initially, rising to one million in the longer term. The line, which will run from Woodlands to Sungei Bedok and cost more than $25 billion, will also link to the upcoming cross-border rapid transit line to Johor Baru. More on this topic Related Story Good eats near 6 new MRT stations on Thomson-East Coast Line 2 Related Story 9 calorie-burning walks around Thomson-East Coast Line 2
SINGAPORE - Sightings of a waterspout off East Coast Park were reported by several people on social media on Saturday morning (July 10). Ms Carrie Koh, a reader of The Straits Times, said that she saw the waterspout from her apartment in Bedok at around 7am, in the direction of Bedok Jetty, and posted a picture on social media. The waterspout lasted around 10 to 15 minutes. Facebook user Anj Arcega Subion spotted the waterspout from her home at Riviera Residences near Upper East Coast Road at 7.03am. "When I got up this morning and opened the window, it was a bit windy. When I saw the waterspout, I ignored it at first but when I saw it moving, I decided to take a photo," she said. A waterspout is a rotating column of wind associated with intense thunderstorms over the sea. It is a short-lived weather phenomenon seen occasionally over Singapore's coastal waters and usually dissipates rapidly upon reaching the coast, according to the National Environment Agency. A waterspout typically forms beneath cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds over warm coastal waters just before showers begin. The "funnel" is formed by water droplets in a rotating vortex of air. The lifespan of a waterspout varies from a few minutes to half an hour. Waterspout spotted off East Coast beach near Bedok jetty on July 10, 2021. More on this topic Related Story Large waterspout spotted near Tanjong Pagar Terminal
SINGAPORE - The first of four studies looking at how specific parts of Singapore's coastline can be better protected from sea-level rise will start this week. The study focusing on the south-eastern part of the island will cover 57.8km of the coastline across three key areas - Changi, the stretch between the East Coast area and Marina Bay, and the Greater Southern Waterfront district - said national water agency PUB on Tuesday (May 18). This city-east coast stretch of the coastline is one of four areas that PUB had identified for site-specific coastal protection studies. The other three are Lim Chu Kang, Sungei Kadut, and around Jurong Island. Studies to protect Jurong Island and the north-western coast, comprising Sungei Kadut and Lim Chu Kang, will commence later this year and in 2022 respectively, PUB said. The first study on the city-east coast stretch will be done by consultancy CPG Consultants and take around four years to complete, PUB added in a statement. Areas that will be covered include a literature review to see how other nations are working to protect their coastlines, data collection and the formulation of adaptation measures and pathways, as well as the development of solutions to mitigate flood risks. PUB did not elaborate on what these solutions could be. But Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had in his National Day Rally speech in 2019 cited possible examples, including empoldering - a land reclamation technique - along Singapore's eastern coast, as well as the possibility of reclaiming a series of offshore islands there. An aerial view of a polder site at Pulau Tekong. Empoldering - a land reclamation technique - has been cited as one way to protect Singapore's coastlines. PHOTO: HDB As an island nation, Singapore is vulnerable to the impacts of sea-level rise - a symptom of the planetary warming caused by human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels for energy. As the blanket of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere thickens, the planet warms, causing sea waters to expand and land ice to melt. Sea levels rise as a result, threatening to overwhelm low-lying areas. The city-east coast stretch of Singapore is particularly vulnerable. For one thing, it is an area of much critical infrastructure. An airport, a water reclamation plant and a naval base are all located in Changi. Community nodes can also be found on the south-eastern coast of Singapore. East Coast Park, for instance, is located on a stretch of coastline along the eastern coast of the island and the Marina Bay area. The Greater Southern Waterfront district will be transformed into an area for urban living, and is also where the Labrador Nature Reserve is located. This reserve is known for its rocky shores - a rare natural habitat that makes up only 1 per cent of the Republic's coastline today. Ms Hazel Khoo, director of PUB's coastal protection department, said the challenge in developing coastal protection measures is to find solutions that are flexible and adaptive to climate change uncertainties. Yet, the measures must also be able to protect Singapore in a way that would make the coastlines still liveable. "This is an opportunity for us to explore a combination of both engineering and nature-based solutions with innovative designs to better integrate with local development and land-use plans," Ms Khoo said. More on this topic Related Story What can nature teach Singapore about combating rising sea levels? Related Story Flash floods in S'pore on Saturday a symptom of climate change: Grace Fu "This will allow us to potentially enhance the living environment and create new recreational spaces with multifunctional uses for the community, like what was done at Marina Reservoir." The Marina Reservoir, enclosed by the Marina Barrage, hosts activities such as boating, kayaking and dragon boating. Projections for sea-level changes in the tropics are not as well known as in other areas. Studies are ongoing in Singapore to change this. Researchers from the Nanyang Technological University, for instance, are studying past sea-level rise recorded in natural archives such as mangrove sediment cores and coral micro atolls to better calibrate global models to the local context. Researchers studying a coral micro atoll located in the waters surrounding Singapore's Southern Islands. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE Meanwhile, PUB has also formed a five-member coastal protection expert panel, comprising both local and international experts, to enhance the coastal protection agency's knowledge and expertise in coastal engineering. The panel is chaired by National University of Singapore professor Chan Eng Soon, who is also chief executive of the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore. Other panel members include Professor Marcel Stive, a Dutch engineer; Professor Robert Nicholls, an expert in climate change and sea-level rise from Britain; Professor Robert Dalrymple, a coastal processes expert from the United States; and Professor David Balmforth, who is based in Britain and an expert in urban flood risk assessment. Prof Chan said the panel's aim is to function as an independent advisory body to PUB's coastal protection efforts. He added: "I am glad to have the opportunity to work with a team of eminent colleagues in this field - especially in guiding PUB as it embarks on the monumental task of protecting Singapore from flooding due to intense rainfall and rising sea levels." More on this topic Related Story PUB working on computer modelling system to prepare for floods and rising sea levels Related Story S'pore to employ mix of coastal protection measures as sea levels rise, say experts
SINGAPORE - Singaporeans with fond memories of the former iconic Big Splash water theme park at East Coast Park can now revisit them at the new Coastal PlayGrove, a 4.5ha development with a tube slides and water play areas that opened on Sunday (March 28) at the site. Built as part of efforts to rejuvenate East Coast Park and help spread out human traffic to the other parts of the park, the Coastal PlayGrove in Area B of the park features structures and designs that are reminiscent of the well-loved water park, including a 16m play structure that is a reconstruction of the Big Splash tower. The water park closed in 2006 and was later redeveloped as a dining and lifestyle destination. The site was handed over to the Government in 2016. The tower houses a vertical net play area, suitable for youngsters, with nets decked out in red, orange, yellow, green and blue - a nod to the distinctive five-lane coloured slides in the former water park. Visitors can also access two enclosed tube slides from the third and fourth floor of the tower, which are 7.3m and 11.9m high respectively. For younger children, they can climb and explore play nets at the base of the tower, which are suitable for those aged five to 12. There is also a water play area with wading pools and water jets that will be illuminated at night in various colours, a nature playgarden designed for children aged three to 12, as well as an outdoor classroom by the sea, designed for pre-schoolers. The playgarden includes teepees and log trail for children to engage in imaginative play, while the water park includes platforms to allow wheelchair access along the main pools and streams. The outdoor classroom, which is equipped with a chalkboard and log stools, and has a view of the sea, will allow nearby pre-schools to conduct more activities at the park. It has additional features for pre-schoolers to explore and discover, including various fruit trees that have been planted in the area, as well as a former hornbill's nest, salvaged from dead tree, which can be used to start conversations about wildlife conservation efforts. There are also new recreational and dining options for park visitors at the Coastal PlayGrove. On Sunday, the National Parks Board (NParks) also announced plans to create a nature trail, which will run through the entire length of East Coast Park from Gardens by the Bay East towards Changi. Measuring about 15km, it will be built over the next 10 years, and link up therapeutic gardens, nature playgardens, and forest patches. This will provide another recreational route across the island, in addition to others that have been recently announced, such as the 18km Eastern Corridor which will run from East Coast to Pasir Ris. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, National Development Minister Desmond Lee as well as Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan officially opened the Coastal PlayGrove site by planting a bayu tree at the site on Sunday morning. Mr Lee said the opening of Coastal PlayGrove marks the completion of redevelopment works for East Coast Park, which were announced in 2017. The tower houses a vertical net play area, suitable for youngsters, with nets decked out in red, orange, yellow, green and blue. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI The water park includes platforms to allow wheelchair access along the main pools and streams. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI "We embarked on our efforts to redevelop our largest and most popular park, to provide Singaporeans with a diverse range of recreational opportunities," said Mr Lee. The other redeveloped sites in the park are the Raintree Cove as well as the 5.4ha Cyclist Park, which in 2019 on the site of the former Goldkist Chalets. Raintree Cove, which formerly contained futsal courts and food and beverage outlets, was converted into a tranquil area with swings. The total cost of the three developments - Coastal PlayGrove, Raintree Cove and the Cyclist Park - was $24.5 million. Coastal PlayGrove was originally slated to open by end-2019. Asked about why the completion of the development was delayed, Mr Tan Jun Chao, director of parks for NParks, told reporters at a virtual media briefing on Sunday that a considerable amount of time was spent designing the area, and researching the historical context of the former Big Splash site, as it holds a lot of memories for Singaporeans. The Covid-19 pandemic also affected the project completion, he added. The iconic five-lane coloured slides at the former Big Splash water park. PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES/MICA The water play area and the vertical net play area - called the Vertical Challenge - are open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am to 8pm. Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, the vertical net play area is subject to a capacity limit of 20 people per level, and additional manpower will be deployed to monitor the situation during peak hours. Play facilities will be temporarily closed when maximum use capacity has been reached. "We encourage visitors to come to Coastal PlayGrove on weekdays or during off-peak hours to avoid disappointment," said NParks, adding that visitors should observe safe distancing, and keep to group sizes of eight people and below when visiting the park. More on this topic Related Story New park for cyclists with F&B outlets opens on former Goldkist Chalets site at East Coast Park Related Story A splashing good time at water park HydroDash at Sentosa
SINGAPORE - The upcoming Punggol Coast MRT station will be ready by 2024, with about 40 per cent of construction work completed. Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung gave this update on Friday (Nov 13), at a ceremony to mark the completion of tunnel boring works from the existing Punggol station to the future Punggol Coast station. The new station, a 1.6km extension of the North East Line, was initially slated for completion in 2023 but has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will connect commuters to the developing Punggol Digital District, a business park that will be co-located with the Singapore Institute of Technology campus. Mr Ong, in his speech, said the MRT station was an essential component of the development. He said: "There is no point building a new district that people cannot get to. Just look at places like Tokyo Station in Japan, Piccadilly Circus Station in London and Grand Central Station in New York. They are synonymous with the vibrant and prosperous districts that they serve. "I hope the upcoming station will become synonymous with the good jobs, quality education and smart lifestyle that Punggol Digital District brings." Punggol Coast MRT station is expected to be used by more than 75,000 employees of the new business park, students and residents in the area. It is part of the Government's plan to expand the rail network from around 230km today to 360km by the early 2030s, and to bring eight in 10 households within a 10-minute walk of a train station. The business park in Punggol, being developed by JTC Corporation, will offer more than 28,000 new jobs in infocomm technology fields such as cyber security and data science. The tunnelling works were completed using two tunnel boring machines, each fitted with sensors to monitor the progress in real time, to ensure precision and minimise disturbance to the surrounding infrastructure. More on this topic Related Story Punggol Digital District to have more jobs close to green, smart homes Related Story Central platform to control buildings, traffic and even deliver breakfast in Punggol Digital District Mr Ong also touched on the importance of seizing the opportunity afforded by the pandemic to change commuters' travel habits. He noted that the pandemic has reduced passenger volume, which is currently about 70 per cent that of pre-Covid-19 levels. "If employers can help adjust work hour requirements, allow workers to toggle between working from home and office, our travel habits will evolve. This would be an outcome that we have been yearning for for decades," he said. "The old habits - rushing during morning and peak hours every day - are neither logical, comfortable, efficient nor environmentally friendly." Mr Ong noted that the MRT system is designed to accommodate peak period crowds, and the system becomes underutilised during off-peak hours. "If we can just spread out commuter traffic throughout the day, everyone will have a more comfortable ride, and yet have the system serve more people," he said. "If and when travel volume recovers, and everyone travels during the same rush hour again, then we would have wasted the crisis." More on this topic Related Story Masterplan for 'digital district' in Punggol North launched; area to generate up to 28,000 tech jobs Related Story SIT's new Punggol campus to have cutting-edge tech, be connected to community and industry