The public-private partnership for the Singapore Sports Hub is officially over as SportsHub Pte Ltd (SPHL) handover the management of the national icon to the new entity Kallang Alive Sport Management Co Pte Ltd (KASM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Kallang Alive Holding Co Pte Ltd which is incorporated by Sport Singapore (SportSG).
The Singapore Sports Hub was originally supposed to be managed by SPHL under a public-private partnership until 2035. But in June this year, it was announced that SportSG would be taking over to make the Sports Hub more accessible to the broader community in Singapore in terms of sports, lifestyle, entertainment and social uses whilst maintaining its commercial sustainability.
The full cost of terminating the public-private partnership is estimated to be around $2.3 billion, said Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, in parliament last August. The Minister explained that notwithstanding the financial calculations and due diligence to ensure that the government has reached a financially rational outcome, and wants to make it clear that the decision to terminate the Sports Hub project was not driven by financial reasons or to save money.
“We are very happy today, that we can celebrate a new chapter of the Singapore Sports Hub with our community and partners. This sporting and lifestyle facility is for all of us in Singapore, we will have activities and programs at this iconic Hub, which can bring the community together,” said the Minister who officiated the Christmas light-up at the OCBC Square, Singapore Sports Hub on 9 Dec.
“I have every confidence in the new team that has been formed to build on the existing foundations and strengthen Singapore’s position as a destination of choice for major international events, and more importantly, create a more vibrant community space that Singaporeans can identify with and feel for.”
A series of events and community activities kicked off on 9 Dec 2022
Public members can look forward to an exciting array of community events and festive celebrations from now until January 2023.
Community events: Visitors to Singapore Sports Hub can participate in activities such as dance (K-Pop Random Play Dance!), jump rope (Jump Rope Fiesta), live music performances and shopping at the bazaar. They can also try different sports at various venues and facilities within Singapore Sports Hub, including football, volleyball, yoga, swimming, Taichi and Zumba. There are also live screenings of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches.
Festivities: Families can enjoy year-end festivities such as Christmas carolling, meeting with Santa, or going on a carnival ride at Kallang Wonderland during December. There are also programmes, including lion dance performances and writing red spring couplets, lined up for the Lunar New Year celebrations in January 2023.
New official FIFA World Cup match ball exhibit: To commemorate the World Cup season, football fans can view “Al Rihla”, the official match ball of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, at the “adidas Fifa World Cup official match ball: Journey Through Time” exhibition at the Singapore Sports Museum. All 14 Adidas Official match balls are on display and will join a collection that reminisces some of the best sporting moments in football from 1970 to the present.
Chairman of the new entity KASM, Keith Magnus, is desirous for the Singapore Sports Hub to be where individuals and communities are inspired, energised and activated through a journey of memorable sporting, entertainment and lifestyle experiences.
“Today heralds a new dawn for the Singapore Sports Hub, an integral part of the Kallang Alive master plan. The government has cast a bold and powerful vision for the Kallang Alive precinct in Singapore to be the premier sports, entertainment and lifestyle destination in the region, and critically too, a part of the national fabric and hearts of Singaporeans from all walks of life.”
“I am excited about the team we are building to execute on the vision and the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead for Kallang Alive. We look forward to working closely with our partners to make this a truly remarkable destination for all Singaporeans, residents and visitors,” he said.