New developments in Kallang

This year’s National Day Rally felt slightly different; we no longer anticipate what coloured shirts PM Lee might sport. Rather, greeting our screens is the familiar face of PM Wong, presenting his first National Day Speech to Singaporeans since his appointment earlier this May.

The Kallang Alive Masterplan is among PM Wong’s plans for our country in the near future. With kitefoiling champion Max Maedar clinching a bronze medal at the Olympics, efforts are being made to grow and support the sports scene in Singapore, which includes turning Kallang into a lifestyle and sports destination. While we do not know about the full deets about the plan yet, here are some new Kallang developments for you to look forward to.

What is the Kallang Alive Masterplan?

The Kallang Alive Masterplan is a precedent for turning the area into a vibrant sports and lifestyle destination. The Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY) first announced the plan in 2019, but its visions are coming to life under PM Wong’s mandate.

Under this project, Kallang will undergo several changes in the coming decade. Ultimately, the goal is to use this area as the locus for growing the sporting scene in Singapore, with upgrades that will benefit both national athletes and our community.

– Facilities opening in the future –

1. Singapore Sports School 

To relocate from Woodlands to Kallang

Image credit: @singapore_sports_school via Instagram

Students from the Singapore Sports School (SSP) are packing their bags as the school will be relocated from their original grounds at Woodlands to Kallang. The new campus will be built on the land the Kallang Netball and Squash Centre currently occupies.

According to PM Wong, plans are underway to develop the area into a new home for Team Singapore, where student athletes can study and train together with their seniors.

2. Singapore Indoor Arena

To house up to 18,000 people

Image credit: Edwin Tong via Facebook 

The Singapore Indoor Stadium (SIS) is officially considered a millennial and has been for some time now. At 35 years of age, the venue can only seat up to 12,000 people. It sadly no longer meets the requirements for the scale of today’s entertainment and sporting events, hence the need for the Singapore Indoor Arena.

The new space is said to be able to seat a crowd of 18,000 at full capacity. It’ll be able to host events that are too big for the SIS but not on such a large scale that it requires our National Stadium. This venue aims to host top-tier events, including sporting matches so Singaporean athletes can compete on their home ground and hear the familiar voices of Singaporeans cheering.

3. Sports Hub

New sports facilities & programmes for the public

Image credit: Edwin Tong via Facebook

The main road cutting through Sports Hub will soon be revamped into a pedestrianised community boulevard. This will include new cycling and running tracks, and daily events for the public to participate in.

Lined with sporting facilities and programmes, it’s a place where anyone can come down to enjoy sports. As long as you’re interested, there will be something for everyone, regardless of skill level.

4. National Training Centres 

Training facilities for several key sports to be consolidated

Image credit: Singapore Sports School

We currently have National Training Centres spread all across our Little Red Dot. Just look at Singapore Aquatics; they have 2 training centres far apart at SSP and OCBC Aquatic Centre respectively.

Combining the training facilities for key sports in one space encourages better synergy among our athletes.

5. New sports science & sports medicine facilities

To help maximise training regimes

Image credit: Sport Singapore

Sports science and sports medicine go hand in hand with an athlete’s training regime, so it’s crucial for them to have easy access to said facilities. As part of Team Singapore’s new home, such centres will provide physiotherapy, rehabilitation, nutrition, and strength and conditioning services.

6. Kallang Wave Mall

Enhanced waterfront area

Image credit: SportsSG

Kallang Wave Mall and OCBC Square are said to be getting a glow-up to make the place more lively. By the looks of it, the waterfront area that connects to Bay East Garden will be beautified into a space for people to hang out and go for walks.

-Facilities that have opened in 2024-

7. Opening of Kallang Football Hub

Sheltered playing fields

Image credit: Sport Singapore

The Kallang Football Hub officially opened its doors in April this year. There’s a full natural pitch, 3 artificial turf pitches, and 3 futsal courts to kick balls at. 4 of these courts are also sheltered so that the weather won’t affect training sessions.

Apart from the playing fields, an on-site football gym also caters to national players for their training, as part of the Unleash The Roar! football project. Players can receive all-rounded training with modern gym equipment that targets aspects like cardio, strength, and mobility.

8. Kallang Tennis Hub

7 indoor courts & 12 outdoor courts

Image credit: Sport Singapore

Also newly opened this April, the Kallang Tennis Hub is Singapore’s first international tournament-ready indoor tennis hub. Now the national training centre for tennis athletes, the venue can host exciting tournaments with its 7 indoor courts, 12 full-sized courts, and 2 junior outdoor courts.

The courts are also open to the public to book for competitive or leisurely play.

Look forward to these upcoming highlights in Kallang

We do not have the full details of when these Kallang sports facilities will be open as yet. What we do know, however, is that we’ll soon have a common space to share our hobbies, be it an intense sport or a chill walk in the park.

You can read more about the MCCY’s Kallang Alive Masterplan here.

For more sports read:

• If Singapore invented the Olympics 
• Water sports centres in Singapore
• Hiking for beginners

Cover image adapted from: @singapore_sports_school via Instagram, Edwin Tong & Singapore Sport Climbing and Mountaineering Federation via Facebook