Serangoon to be upgraded by 2012

Serangoon residents can look forward to drop-off porches, soccer hardcourts, fitness corners and improved jogging tracks in their neighbourhood.

Upgrading works, part of the Government’s $7.05 million Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, will begin in the fourth quarter of next year and be completed by the end of 2012.

Announcing this yesterday at the annual Serangoon Community Day, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, said it will benefit about 2,100 units in 25 HDB blocks in Serangoon North built before 1989.

Citing fitness corners and children’s playgrounds as popular requests, Mrs Lim said a working committee will be set up to gather residents’ feedback and understand their needs.

‘A lot depends on the different precincts and the space available, which is often the main constraint, and the terrain: whether it is unlevel, and also the budget,’ said the Member of Parliament for the area.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Mrs Lim added that construction of a special access road connecting the controversial workers’ dormitory in Serangoon Gardens to Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 is almost completed. She will meet the dorm’s operator in about a month to discuss operational issues once the Ministry of National Development gives the green light to the meeting.

‘Once the road is ready, the successful tenderer can start fitting out the place but because it (the dorm) is temporary, we will not expect substantial improvements. When it is up and running, it will pose minimal disamenity, if at all,’ she said.

Mrs Lim also launched Aljunied GRC’s annual Zero Litter Month yesterday, which aims to renew awareness among residents about good hygiene practices.

Two food outlets – Choh Dee Place, a coffeeshop at Serangoon North Avenue 1, and Chomp Chomp Food Centre at Serangoon Gardens – both received their Singapore’s OK Award from the National Environment Agency yesterday.

The awards are given to premises where main stakeholders such as the management, cleaners and stallholders all work to keep the premises hygienic.

Source : Sunday Times – 24 May 2009