3D printing, cupcakes, hot-desking as Tampines West CC caters to younger crowd

(From left) Mr Ang Hak Seng, Chief Executive Director, People's Association, Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Mr Ng Cheng Huat, and Mr Suhaimi Rafdi at the open house for the new Tampines West CC on May 3, 2015. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN  
(From left) Mr Ang Hak Seng, Chief Executive Director, People's Association, Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Mr Ng Cheng Huat, and Mr Suhaimi Rafdi at the open house for the new Tampines West CC on May 3, 2015. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN  
A wine appreciation class held in the cooking room at the new Tampines West CC. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN 
The multipurpose hall used for games at the new Tampines West CC. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN  
A cooking class held in the Masterchef-inspired kitchen at the new Tampines West CC. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN 

SINGAPORE - Three-dimensional printing, wine appreciation and hot-desking are hardly activities you would associate with your neighbourhood Community Club (CC).

Yet Tampines West CC is offering these and others for its residents.

At the CC's first open house in over a decade yesterday, curious residents got to try out these free activities in new spaces such as a revamped kitchen, basketball court and glass studio.

The CC has also brought in eateries ranging from brand names like Starbucks and Subway to Alt-Yard, a collaboration between independent cafe Penny University and cupcake maker Fluff Bakery.

The line-up of more than 50 programmes and services caters to the increasing number of young residents, families and professionals in the area.

Minister in Prime Minister's Office Mr Masagos Zulkifli, who is adviser to Tampines Grassroots Organisations, said that as more condominiums and build-to-order developments spring up in the area, more young families are entering the community.

He said: "If we do not upgrade the facilities and the programmes, we will perhaps be meeting the needs of only the elderly who come here to read newspapers or to watch the news because they don't want to do it at home."

"We want to make sure this is a place where people can hang out, that the young can chill out at."

The CC has seen a series of upgrades over the past four years, drawing on funds of $1.2 million raised in 2010 by 79 donors from the community.

Tampines resident Ms Ting Lee Peng, 49, a part-time cashier, had not visited the CC for a few years now but returned to try parent-child cooking classes in the new kitchen.

"It gives us the opportunity to bond together, we seldom have this kind of chance," she said.

Daughter Shelia Teo, 11 - who hopes she will get to print a puppy in the next 3D printing class - said of the CC: "It's very modern and I like that it has air-con."

Although Mr Nelson Ng lives in Hougang, he has been running his online recruitment business from the club's hot-desking facility for four months.

A desk can be rented for $100 a month, including access to amenities like free WiFi, plug points and a printer. Mr Ng, 32, said: "My CC doesn't have this feature.

If you're a start-up and you're short of cash, $100 a month is quite affordable. It also feels more comfortable in the heartlands."

oliviaho@sph.com.sg

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