http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_353499.html
More space for foreign workers
Scal Recreation Centre caters to 35,000 workers, has facilities like remittance services
By Lim Wei Chean
Foreign workers playing a game of Kabbadi, a South Asian team sport, in the football field at the Scal Recreation Centre. -- ST PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
BANGLADESHI construction worker Abdar Rahim used to head to Mustafa Centre in Little India or Jurong Point for shopping and meals on his days off.
But since early this year, the 45-year-old has had a new place for relaxing on his own time - the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (Scal) Recreation Centre in Soon Lee Road in Jurong.
The facility, officially opened yesterday, has a football field, multi-purpose halls and courts, an amphitheatre for screening ethnic movies, a beer garden, classrooms, a supermarket, a food court, a clinic and even a post office and remittance services.
It caters to about 35,000 foreign workers living in the Soon Lee estate.
Mr Abdar, who lives in a dormitory in Jurong West nearby, has been going there two to three times a week.
The $5 million centre, located on 4ha of state land, was built by Scal as a place for foreign workers to meet friends and for recreation.
Singaporeans living nearby are also free to use the facilities.
Scal president Desmond Hill expressed hope that it would become 'a venue for social interaction'.
About 3,000 local residents and foreigners have been stopping by on weekdays, with the number going up to 8,000 on weekends since its soft opening in January.
Mr Hill hopes to grow the number to over 5,000 visitors on weekdays and more than 10,000 on weekends.
Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.
More space for foreign workers
Scal Recreation Centre caters to 35,000 workers, has facilities like remittance services
By Lim Wei Chean
Foreign workers playing a game of Kabbadi, a South Asian team sport, in the football field at the Scal Recreation Centre. -- ST PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
BANGLADESHI construction worker Abdar Rahim used to head to Mustafa Centre in Little India or Jurong Point for shopping and meals on his days off.
But since early this year, the 45-year-old has had a new place for relaxing on his own time - the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (Scal) Recreation Centre in Soon Lee Road in Jurong.
The facility, officially opened yesterday, has a football field, multi-purpose halls and courts, an amphitheatre for screening ethnic movies, a beer garden, classrooms, a supermarket, a food court, a clinic and even a post office and remittance services.
It caters to about 35,000 foreign workers living in the Soon Lee estate.
Mr Abdar, who lives in a dormitory in Jurong West nearby, has been going there two to three times a week.
The $5 million centre, located on 4ha of state land, was built by Scal as a place for foreign workers to meet friends and for recreation.
Singaporeans living nearby are also free to use the facilities.
Scal president Desmond Hill expressed hope that it would become 'a venue for social interaction'.
About 3,000 local residents and foreigners have been stopping by on weekdays, with the number going up to 8,000 on weekends since its soft opening in January.
Mr Hill hopes to grow the number to over 5,000 visitors on weekdays and more than 10,000 on weekends.
Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.
