By Naseema Banu Maideen
NTUC Club’s Downtown East will keep serving union members and public throughout the five-year redevelopment process.
Even with thrilling plans shaped up for a refreshed vicinity, NTUC Club remains steadfast in its mission of providing affordable services to union members and the public.
NTUC Club Chief Executive Officer Yeo Khee Leng reaffirmed this commitment at the groundbreaking ceremony held on 18 March 2013.
This was also a day that celebrated the first phase of construction of the redevelopment project that will kick off with the construction of a brand new resort.
NTUC Club made the official announcement that it was redeveloping Downtown East as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations in July 2012.
The $200 million redevelopment of Downtown East promises an integrated leisure experience with a new resort, a bigger water park and expanded MUCE (Member, Union, Community and Engagement) facilities.
Targeted to be completed by end 2017, this five-year plan’s new platforms will enable NTUC Club to extend its reach to union members and communities at a larger level, Mr Yeo added.
The total area of the Costa Sands Resort will be expanded from the current 3 hectares to 3.8 hectares. The new resort will also be linked seamlessly to Wild Wild Wet and other facilities via an elevated walkway with retail, dining and entertainment choices.
Housing close to 400 rooms, up from the 360 rooms now, the six-storey resort main block and three clusters of chalets will cater to the different needs of guests; the shared rooms will be about 35 per cent bigger than the ones currently available.
These expansion works bring with them jobs that will be created. NTUC Club Chief Operating Officer Lim Eng Lee said that as it continues to hire older workers, there will be a key focus on productivity. “As we are refreshing physically, we are also refreshing our processes. We will be looking at more automation systems for better productivity for our workers,” he cited.
The groundbreaking ceremony that unfolded at the site of the former Escape Theme Park, situated at the northern end closest to Pasir Ris Park, brought together Guest-of-Honour NTUC Secretary-General, and also NTUC Club Management Council Chairman Lim Swee Say, as well as union leaders, representatives from associations, NTUC’s Social Enterprises and the Pasir Ris East community.
