Singapore Government Press Release
Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,
MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2^nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel: 837-9666

At its inception in 1972, SAFRA occupied as its temporary clubhouse the former Norwegian Seamen’s Mission Home at Prince Edward Lane. SAFRA then had fewer than 2,000 members. Three years later in 1975, SAFRA’s first permanent clubhouse at Toa Payoh was officially opened. Located in a public housing estate, SAFRA introduced inexpensive club membership at the doorstep of NSmen and their families. At the end of that year, SAFRA’s membership grew to 32,700.

Today, SAFRA is a household name. SAFRA serves over 200,000 members and has five clubs located in different parts of the island: Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah, Tampines, Yishun and a town club on leased premises at Orchard Road. Every month, some 160,000 members visit these clubs. With the construction of SAFRA’s own $6-million town club at Carpenter Street, which will commence shortly, patronage should further increase. The concept of good value, conveniently-located clubs and affordable fees has become and will remain a cherished SAFRA tradition.

Through the years, SAFRA has also developed strong partnerships with several establishments. This has enabled SAFRA to make available various privileges and services to its members, such as benefits and discounts at over 500 mechandising outlets, and an average corporate sponsorship of $1.5 million each year for its major events and activities. Such strategic alliances have facilitated SAFRA and its 600-strong volunteers in embarking on ambitious projects to reach out to the wider community, like organising Swing Singapore and raising $1 million for charity in the NSman Charity Drive.

Separately, SAFRA Resort & Country Club at the East Coast serves some 10,200 NSmen members, making it one of the largest membership bases amongst local golf clubs. In line with SAFRA’s tradition of price affordability and value for members, SAFRA Resort has made it possible for our NSmen to enjoy golf, which was once considered an elitist and expensive sport in Singapore.

The utilization of SAFRA Resort’s 27-hole golf course has reached 90%. Notwithstanding that it is the most well used golf course locally, the greens are immaculately maintained. The Resort has earned itself the distinction of being the first in Singapore and second in Southeast Asia, to be designated the Certified Audubon Co-operative Sanctuary for environmental excellence last year.

The opening of SAFRA Yishun Country Club this evening is significant for two reasons. First, it underlines SAFRA’s firm commitment in recognising the contributions of NSmen to national defence. Second, it is testimony to SAFRA’s commitment to keep pace with NSmen’s changing needs and lifestyles, and providing them with market-competitive facilities and privileges.

This $28-million country club offers some unique features — multi-purpose landscaped pools, an up-market wellness spa, a national rock climbing centre and an indoor air-weapons range. NSmen can enjoy all these and more in the club, set amidst the quiet tranquility of Yishun Park. I am therefore happy to learn that since the soft opening of SAFRA Yishun late last year, it has seen a monthly average of some 63,000 visitors, making SAFRA Yishun the most popular SAFRA club to date. SAFRA membership has also increased by some 6,000 on account of SAFRA Yishun alone.

SAFRA will continue to implement a broad range of initiatives in support of MINDEF’s and the Government’s efforts to recognise the contributions of our citizen-soldiers. In this regard, the Government has accepted RECORD III’s recommendations to develop a new SAFRA clubhouse and an additional 18-hole golf course for NSmen and their families.

The new SAFRA clubhouse, to be located at the foot of Mt Faber Park, will adopt a theme-based lifestyle concept in keeping with the heightened expectations of members. SAFRA will fund the development itself, estimated at $30 million. The new clubhouse will replace the existing SAFRA Bukit Merah Club built in the early 80s.

The new 18-hole golf course will be located off Neo Tiew Lane 3. It will be designed to be environmentally sensitive and integrate with the existing landscape. This project will be jointly funded by SAFRA Resort, CDANS, SPANS and corporate sponsors.

Operationally-ready NSmen play a vital role in Total Defence. While the SAF ensures that NSmen achieve a high standard of military proficiency and operational readiness, SAFRA, through its various clubhouses and facilities, fosters camaraderie and helps to fulfill the lifestyle needs of NSmen.

In conclusion, I would like to commend the Chairman and Members of the Development Committee of SAFRA Yishun, SAFRA staff and the many corporate supporters for their hard work. You have brought to all our NSmen, a beautiful country club that surpasses the standards of even some private clubs, but remains affordable to all NSmen.

It is now my pleasure to declare open the SAFRA Yishun Country Club.

------------