Kallang Wave Mall is fast becoming a weekend haunt for youngsters and families since officially opening last February. The 41,000 sq m mall boasts more than 30 food establishments, popular retail brands such as H&M and Uniqlo, the highest indoor rock climbing walls in Singapore, a rooftop water park and even a soon-to-be-opened Japanese onsen and spa.
With more than 8 million visitors since the Singapore Sports Hub opened last June, the mall is shaping up to be the most popular feature of the 35 ha development, that also includes the OCBC Aquatic Centre, Singapore Sports Museum and Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Here are 10 things you can do at the new Sports Hub.
1) Skate
What: Landmark tenant Kallang Ice World at Leisure Park Kallang has been made over with a new rink surface, new function rooms for private events and parties, and gallery-style seating for parents and spectators during competitions. Clumsy on skates? Kallang Ice World also offers beginner classes.
Where: Leisure Park Kallang, 5 Stadium Walk, 03-08/09
Open: Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 10pm; Friday, Saturday and eve of public holiday, 10am to 12 midnight; public holiday, 9am to 10pm.
Admission: $17.50 per adult (2 hours skate rental), $15 per child (2 hours skate rental); gloves at $2 (adult)and $2.50 (child), socks at $2.
Info: www.leisurepark.com.sg
2) Eat
What: With a Food Street at Leisure Park Kallang and multiple eateries at Kallang Wave Mall, visitors have more than 50 options to choose from. For a quick bite, grab a cappuccino ($4.90) and chocolate cake ($6.50) from Joe & Dough at Leisure Park Kallang. For modern Asian fare, head to Basil by Thai Express at Kallang Wave Mall for Massaman chicken curry ($13.90, served with roti) or Thai chendol ($5.90).
Where: Joe & Dough, 01-12 Leisure Park Kallang; Basil, 01-16 Kallang Wave Mall
Open: Joe & Dough: 8am to 10pm daily; Basil: 11.30am to 10pm daily.
Info: www.joeanddough.com and basil.com.sg
3) Party
What: To coincide with the lunar eclipse on April 4, The New Paper is turning Kallang Wave Mall into a mega indoor club at night. In the day, it's more family-friendly, with balloon sculptors, portrait painters and music duo Jack and Rai providing the entertainment.
Where: Kallang Wave Mall
When: April 4, 12 noon to midnight
Admission: $50 a pair will get you two goodie bags with $500 worth of vouchers and four free drinks. Early-bird tickets at $40 a pair before March 23.
Info: tnppartyatkwave.sg
4) Compete
What: Sports Hub's first adventure race, Super 8s, comprises eight challenges taking place across the entire 35-ha area. Tasks include completing a 200m run on the track and scoring five goals in futsal. The team (of up to four people) that completes all challenges in the fastest time will win prizes. Better to keep it all in the family, as teams made up of family members enjoy time advantages.
Where: Various parts of the Sports Hub
When: March 28, slots available from 8am to 3pm.
Admission: Free, but registration is required.
Info: To register, go to www.sportshub.com.sg or e-mail experiencesports@sportshub.com.sg
5) Lawn Bowl
What: Enjoy this quaintly laid back sport on the artificial turf lawn located on level three of the Sports Hub. The game requires players to roll balls, known as bowls, as close to the jack, a smaller ball that acts as the target, as possible.
Where: Above the Sports Museum, level 3
Open: 7am to 10pm
Admission: Free, booking is required. Balls, jacks and mats are available for loan.
Info: www.sportshub.com.sg/community
6) Learn
What: Find out more about the sporting history of Singapore at the Singapore Sports Museum. Hall of Fame spotlights sports heroes such as swimmer Ang Peng Siong and footballer Fandi Ahmad, while Dream Venue shows the iconic events in the history of the former National Stadium. Expect artefacts like old Malaysia Cup tickets and Ang's swimming trunks, interactive displays and old footage of matches.
Where: Singapore Sports Museum, 6 Stadium Walk
Open: Weekday, 10am to 8pm, weekend, 10am to 9pm.
Admission: Free for Singaporeans and permanent residents, $10 for non-residents, $5 for non-resident students and senior citizens.
Info: www.sportshub.com.sg
7) Climb
What: Climb Central has the highest indoor climbing walls in Singapore, which can be up to 16 m tall. Children as young as five can climb and safety briefings are held every 15 minutes for beginners to learn the basics of climbing. Special belaying devices, or devices to help you hold the rope for your partner, are also available so that parents do not have to be certified to be able to belay their children.
Where: Kallang Wave Mall, B1-01, 1 Stadium Place
Open: Weekday, 11am to 11pm, weekend and public holiday, 9am to 9pm
Admission: $30 for an adult day pass. Family passes (for one adult and at least one child) start at $36.
Info: www.climbcentral.sg or www.facebook.com/ClimbCentral
8) Splash-N-Surf
What: Head to the rooftop of Kallang Wave Mall and discover a hidden oasis - a kids' pool and water-play area for children aged three to 12. The open-air play area mimics a colourful tropical setting, with palm tree and flower-shaped embellishments. Nearby, the 1 m-deep lazy river is perfect for whiling the day away on inflatable donuts. The rooftop is also the perfect place to get a bird's-eye view of Kallang Basin.
Where: Rooftop of Kallang Wave Mall
Open: 8am to 10pm daily
Admission: Free admission for the kids' pool and water-play area; free admission to lazy river till April 15, $2 thereafter. Swim wear required for the kids' pool, changing rooms are available.
Info: www.sportshub.com.sg
9) Canoe and kayak
What: Rent a canoe or kayak from the Water Sports Centre and explore the waters of Kallang Basin. To celebrate World Water Day on March 22, free dragonboating and kayaking sessions are taking place on March 21, led by organisations such as Singapore Dragon Boat Association. Dragonboating sessions, 9.45 to 10.30am; kayaking sessions, 9.45am to 12 noon.
Where: Water Sports Centre, 8 Stadium Walk
Open: Rental hours 7am to 7pm daily (last boat rental at 5pm). No public rentals from March 20 to 22 due to World Water Day activities.
Rates: For two hours: $12 to $18 (adults); $8 to $13 (children, students and senior citizens)
Info: www.sportshub.com.sg, www.singaporeworldwaterday.com
10) Experience Sports Fitness and Free-To-Play Sessions
What: No more excuses not to get off your bum with these free daily fitness sessions. The classes, lasting one to two hours, range from zumba and pilates to kickboxing and functional training. On weekends, you can also learn to play a new sport, such as beach volleyball, fencing or table tennis in special Learn-To-Play sessions.
Where: Various parts of the Sports Hub
When: Fitness sessions are held daily at various times. Free-To-Play sessions take place on weekends, at various dates and times for each sport.
Admission: Free. Registration is required as slots are limited.
Info: Go to www.sportshub.com.sg
