Sheltered fitness facilities and mixed martial arts rings are some of the new features in the upcoming SAFRA Choa Chu Kang club. Slated to open in 2022 to serve over 90,000 Singapore Armed Forces NSmen residing in northwest Singapore, the five-storey club is themed as a “Fitness Oasis” and will include a Fitness and Wellness Hub spanning over 50,000sqf, incorporating an EnergyOne gym, a fitness studio and the mixed martial arts rings all on one level. Integrated within parkland, the club will be just five minutes’ walk from the MRT.
It boasts several firsts among SAFRA clubs, such as a sheltered swimming pool, aquagym, sky running track and futsal court, which can be used by NSmen and their families come rain or shine. Speaking at an exhibition on the latest plans for the club, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Senior Minister of State for Defence and President of SAFRA, called them “a way we show our appreciation” for NSmen’s contributions to national defence. “Our clubs provide convenient venues where NSmen can meet up for activities and pursue common interests, encouraging them to stay connected and build on the close bonds forged during National Service,” he added.
The new club will also be a good base for members to engage in an active lifestyle while exploring nature in Choa Chu Kang Park. An outdoor amphitheatre, which will extend from the club into the park, is expected to host events. Live entertainment and fun mass activities await! Visitors can also enjoy other amenities within the park such as fitness stations, playgrounds and nature trails. The club will also host a variety of recreational and F&B facilities for families, include a preschool, indoor playground, bowling centre, spa, cafe and many other dining options.
Members’ Feedback
Dr Maliki, who unveiled the plans at Lot One Shoppers’ Mall, said that members’ feedback was crucial to the club’s conceptualisation. “Many fresh ideas on facilities have been generated through close consultation with the NSman community,” he said. Through surveys and focus group discussions, the views of more than 1,600 NSmen had been sought to help the club development committee better understand their lifestyle needs and preferences. Following the unveiling, SAF NSmen and their families were also invited to give their feedback via an online survey until the end of last November.
