SINGAPORE - Plans are in the works for a new Safra clubhouse, catering to national servicemen and their families in the north-western part of the island.

This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean at the official opening of Safra Punggol on Thursday (Nov 24), where he also said that Safra Tampines will be upgraded.

When completed, the new club will be the seventh one here.

There will also be a slew of activities that will be organised next year to commemorate 50 years of national service in Singapore and the 45th anniversary of Safra, said Mr Teo.

These include a Safra Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon, a charity swim, and a celebratory dinner for Safra volunteers and corporate partners.

"Safra and HomeTeam NS will also work together to provide a suite of benefits for NSmen and their families," said Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security.

"Indeed, there is much that our NSmen can look forward to next year." Also in attendance at the launch were Minister for Defence and Safra board of governors chairman Ng Eng Hen, Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung, who is also Safra president, and Senior Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Osman, the deputy president of Safra.

Since its soft launch in April this year Safra Punggol, built at a cost of $64.4 million, has received about 150,000 visitors a month.