New community club for Bukit Gombak to have eco-friendly features

PM Lee (centre) takes a photo of the model of new Bukit Gombak Community Club as Ms Low Yen Ling, (second, right), Mayor of South West District, looks on. With them are (from left) Mr Joe Chan, PBM, Organising Chairman of Bukit Gombak Community Club
PM Lee (centre) takes a photo of the model of new Bukit Gombak Community Club as Ms Low Yen Ling, (second, right), Mayor of South West District, looks on. With them are (from left) Mr Joe Chan, PBM, Organising Chairman of Bukit Gombak Community Club Fundraising dinner, Mr Alvin Yeo, MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Manpower, and Mr Ang Hak Seng, BBM, Chief Executive Director of People's Association. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA

SINGAPORE - Some 45,000 residents in Bukit Gombak can soon look forward to a new community club (CC) with eco-friendly features such as a vertical green wall, a community spice garden and irrigation with recycled rainwater.

It will be a homecoming of sorts as the new four-storey building, which is expected to be ready in the last quarter of 2016, will be located along Hillview Avenue where the old Hillview CC once stood.

The old CC moved to the void deck of Block 386 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 about 10 years ago.

Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling, the MP for the ward, said grassroots leaders had surveyed almost 1,000 residents last year to get their feedback on what they wanted to see in their new CC.

The CC was then designed based on the poll results. For instance, the idea to recycle rainwater for irrigation had come from residents, she said at a gala dinner on Saturday to raise funds for the CC.

Ms Low said the eco-friendly features and design of the new CC also reflect the greenery and unique natural features of Bukit Gombak.

She highlighted other amenities to meet residents' interests and needs, such as a culinary studio, childcare centre and food and beverage outlets.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was the guest of honour at the dinner, which was attended by over 1,000 donors, grassroots leaders, and residents. Also there were Ms Low's fellow MPs from Chua Chu Kang GRC - Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and Mr Alvin Yeo - and Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Amy Khor, who is MP for neighbouring Hong Kah North SMC.

Ms Low, who is also South West District mayor, said she hopes the new CC will become a "second home" for residents where they can develop their passions and skills and form new friendships and bonds.

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