A major rejuvenation of the 24-year-old Sengkang Sculpture Park will headline a new five-year masterplan for Sengkang town, announced by the Workers’ Party-run Sengkang Town Council (SKTC) on 5 April 2025.
The upgraded park, located in Compassvale Street, is part of a broader roadmap that includes the development of green community spaces, infrastructure improvements and resident-driven amenities, to be rolled out between the 2025 and 2029 financial years.
Announced by Members of Parliament (MPs) He Ting Ru, Louis Chua and Jamus Lim at the park itself, the plan also coincides with public anticipation of a general election expected by mid-2025.
When asked about election-related plans, the MPs declined to comment directly.
He, who chairs SKTC, emphasised that the event was focused on the masterplan, noting that political matters would be addressed when the election campaign begins.
The rejuvenation of Sculpture Park will occur in two phases. The first phase includes the transformation of the area around the park’s Whale Sculpture into three thematic zones inspired by Sengkang’s roots as a fishing village.
One zone will feature “kelong”-style pavilions with stilt-like walkways, another will include a sailboat-themed waterscape, and the third will house a new landscaped garden complemented by a coral reef sculpture.
In the second phase, a steering committee made up of residents aged 18 to 30 will shape the design of inclusive park spaces, aiming to create a community area that reflects youth perspectives and encourages public participation.
Beyond the park, the town council’s plans extend across Sengkang’s various districts. In Anchorvale, a rooftop butterfly garden and hydroponics facility will be built atop a multi-purpose hall near Block 336 Anchorvale Crescent. Construction is scheduled to start next week.
In Rivervale, a new dog run will be introduced by mid-2025. The idea originated from dog owners who approached Mr Chua, and SKTC followed up with a survey in late 2024. Out of 271 respondents, 72 per cent supported the initiative, including many non-dog owners.
To address concerns from residents regarding cleanliness and noise, the dog run will operate within fixed hours and undergo routine maintenance.
In Buangkok, a new rooftop edible garden is also planned, offering a space for residents to grow their own produce and engage with the community.
SKTC is also exploring 96 new town improvement projects, including covered walkways, playgrounds and residents’ corners. These are in addition to 81 projects delivered since the council’s formation in 2020.
Associate Professor Lim noted that approximately half of the estates in Sengkang have undergone repair and redecoration works, with the rest scheduled in the coming years.
He stressed the importance of such routine work, calling it essential to residents’ daily lives.
Lift modernisation is another key area, with 685 lifts in the town earmarked for upgrading or full replacement to improve safety, reliability and energy efficiency.
Funding for many of these initiatives depends on support from the Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC), a government body under the Ministry of National Development.
In the 2024 financial year, SKTC submitted 248 projects—the highest number among all Singapore towns—worth S$30 million. However, the CIPC only supported 47 projects totalling S$4.5 million due to budget constraints.
Assoc Prof Lim highlighted one example of a funded project: a footpath along an estate’s access road that required technical adjustments and CIPC support.
He noted the committee’s feedback is shaped by national budget allocations, and the town council remains grateful for the funding received.
The launch event also featured the presence of Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik, a senior property manager at Aljunied-Hougang Town Council.
He has been widely tipped as a potential candidate to fill the vacant seat in the Workers’ Party team for Sengkang GRC.
Mr Abdul Muhaimin interacted with residents at the event but declined to comment when approached by the media.
Former MP Raeesah Khan’s resignation in 2021 left a vacancy in the four-member GRC team, and speculation around her replacement has intensified with the expected general election.
While the three current MPs refrained from confirming their candidacy, they reiterated their commitment to the masterplan and emphasised that the projects were developed based on residents’ feedback.
As SKTC continues to navigate development and funding challenges, the five-year masterplan reflects a broader effort to enhance liveability, deepen community ties, and position the town for sustainable growth.
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