Upgrading Costs and Plans for Eunos Community Club

Mr Pritam Singh asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what is the total cost of the upgrading works for the Eunos Community Club; (b) what facilities have been set aside for upgrading at a later date; and (c) when are these deferred works slated to commence.

Mr Speaker, I am answering in my capacity as the Minister charged with the responsibility for the People's Association (PA).

PA maintains a periodic Upgrading and/or Cyclical Maintenance Programme to keep our community clubs well-maintained, functional and fit-for-purpose. Eunos Community Club was selected for upgrading in 2023 under this programme and a tender for upgrading works for Eunos Community Club was called in September 2022.

PA received 11 bids for the tender. Following an investigation by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), two bids were disqualified and excluded from the tender evaluation. CCCS made public their findings, and this was known.

The remaining nine bids were then evaluated using the Price-Quality Method. Eventually, the tender was not awarded because the assessed bids were substantially higher than the estimated value of the works needed. As previously explained, after an assessment, it was decided that it would not be prudent to proceed with the upgrading works at that time, given the substantial deviation from the estimated value.

Instead, PA decided to scale down to only essential works, at a lower cost of around $3.1 million, to ensure that Eunos Community Club can continue to be well-maintained and fit-for-purpose for residents' use. This includes mechanical and electrical works, such as upgrading of the lift system. Eunos Community Club is currently undergoing these essential works and remains on track to reopen by early 2026. Thereafter, PA will make a progressive assessment on the scope of works that might be needed to be done at the next scheduled upgrading. This will be done in consultation with residents, community stakeholders and relevant authorities.