Residents can enjoy 70ha Jurong Lake Gardens as early as 2017

A view of the Jurong Lake and its vicinity. The upcoming Jurong Lake Gardens will span more than 70ha and residents can enjoy it as early as 2017, revealed National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan. -- ST PHOTO: SAM CHIN
A view of the Jurong Lake and its vicinity. The upcoming Jurong Lake Gardens will span more than 70ha and residents can enjoy it as early as 2017, revealed National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan. -- ST PHOTO: SAM CHIN

SINGAPORE - The upcoming Jurong Lake Gardens will span more than 70ha and residents can enjoy it as early as 2017, revealed National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

In a blog post on Monday morning, Mr Khaw offered more details on the new park that was announced in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally speech on Sunday night.

The Jurong Lake Gardens will combine the existing Chinese and Japanese Gardens as well as Jurong Lake Park.

"Heritage elements at the Chinese and Japanese Garden will be retained but refreshed as part of Jurong Lake Gardens," said Mr Khaw.

The National Parks Board will be seeking ideas from the public on how to develop the new garden, he added.

It will also include the new Science Centre, to be completed around 2020.

"Its location will enable NParks to integrate the future Science Centre with the new Gardens, combining themes such as science, technology and horticulture in a uniquely Singaporean way," said Mr Khaw.

The development is part of Jurong's ongoing transformation since 2008, he noted. Jurong is Singapore's largest regional centre outside of the city, with recent developments such as the malls J-Cube, Jem and Westgate, as well as the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability.

Other developments such as Ng Teng Fong Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital are soon to be completed.

In Sunday's National Day Rally, improvements to the transport network in the region and plans for more Housing Board flats nearby were also announced.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.