Singapore Government Press Release
Speech by Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, at The Official Opening of The Upgraded Radin Mas Community Club on Saturday, 28 April 2001 at 7.30 pm
Dr S Vasoo
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC and
Adviser to Radin Mas Grassroots Organisations
Grassroots Leaders
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my pleasure to be with you at this opening ceremony of the upgraded Radin Mas Community Club (CC). The Radin Mas CC Building Fund Committee has worked hard, and provided Radin Mas with a modern CC that will become a focal point for community interaction and bonding.
Residents of Radin Mas can now enjoy an upgraded CC with modern facilities including a well-equipped gymnasium, miniature golf course, folk singing lounge, computer club and dance studio.
In our multi-racial society, it is important to have venues where Singaporeans of all races and religions, and all walks of life, can relax, mingle and participate in activities together. The CC is one such venue.
CCs remain a convenient option for many Singaporeans looking for a place to relax and unwind after a hard day’s work. Having a CC in our neighbourhood has allowed many of us to spend our leisure time meaningfully among friends and neighbours, without travelling far.
The People’s Association has been making concerted efforts to upgrade Community Centres and Clubs with more and better facilities. CCs need to keep up with the rising expectations of Singaporeans, or else Singaporeans will gradually stop patronising CCs, and shift to the other recreational centres and private clubs that are now available.
Having up to date facilities is necessary, but not enough. The CC Management Committee (CCMC) must make full use of these facilities, and reach out proactively to residents. The CC has to offer creative and innovative programmes, appealing to different groups of residents, at reasonable prices. Only then can it hope to be the social hub of the community.
The CC is a convenient place to acquire new knowledge and skills. Radin Mas CC will be an attractive venue for more continuing education and life enrichment courses like management, personal grooming and social etiquette, wine appreciation, mini golf, line dancing, computer classes, henna art and much more.
Radin Mas CC also works closely with voluntary and social organisations in the community to meet the needs of the disadvantaged and special needs groups. It has partnerships with VWOs, including the Very Special Arts, the Down’s Syndrome Association and the Chinese Opera Society. Through these link-ups, the CC has been able to offer educational, community care, cultural and recreational programmes for children with special needs and the elderly.
I urge the CCMC to continue searching for fresh ideas and approaches to draw more people to the CC, promote life-long learning and to be the provider-of-choice for enrichment and recreational activities.
I hope Radin Mas residents will give full support to the CCMC and to your Member of Parliament, Dr S Vasoo. Your active participation will encourage the CCMC to develop more innovative and exciting programmes, and make their efforts worthwhile.
Finally may I congratulate Dr S Vasoo, the Radin Mas CC Management and Building Fund Committees, grassroots leaders and residents of Radin Mas for their success in upgrading the Community Club.
It is now my pleasure to declare the upgraded Radin Mas Community Club open.