New sports facilities will be built and old ones renovated in a concerted government push to nurture a sporting culture among Singaporeans. The move to get more Singaporeans out of their homes and onto football fields, badminton courts and into gyms has seen the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and Singapore Sports Council (SSC) initiate a comprehensive 20-year masterplan to give sports facilities an overhaul.

The Sports Facilities Master Plan was launched recently and the focus was not just on sporting excellence, but on the 'social capital and nation-building value of sports'. The plan covers everything from the multimillion-dollar Kallang Sports City on the site of the former national stadium to humble community clubs in the heartland. Sporting interest received a boost with last year's staging of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games and it is clear the Government wants to ride that momentum.

The masterplan has three levels.

The first centres on the upcoming Kallang Sports City. The plan is to create an 'ecosystem' around it which includes world-class facilities that can host major events, as well as a community of stores and research and development centres.

The next level involves setting up 'integrated town hubs' that offer sporting facilities along with other activities and services. The first hub in Tampines, due for completion by 2015, will feature astroturf football pitches, badminton and tennis courts, a gym and a dance hall housed with a performing arts theatre, a community club, a library and food outlets.

The third level involves facilities closest to the doorsteps of Singaporeans. The SSC will upgrade facilities in neighbourhoods, especially those more than 20 years old. Where possible, these will be co-located with food and other outlets. It will also expand the Dual Use Scheme - which opens school sports facilities to the public after school hours. There are 135 school fields and 45 sports halls for public use on weekends. Between 30 and 50 more will be open on weekends in the next two to three years. Initiatives like the Singapore National Games next year, and satellite sports centres were also highlighted as they will allow students to train in sports not offered at their schools.

Tel: +65 63555000 or email: [email protected]