Singapore to build next-gen recreation hubs to enhance migrant worker well-being and community life

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has launched plans to redevelop two major recreation centres as part of a broader push to enhance the quality of life for migrant workers, with a focus on community, well-being, and access to services.

The ministry has issued Calls for Expression of Interest (EOI) for consultancy services to transform Soon Lee Recreation Centre into Singapore’s first Recreation Hub, while also upgrading the Kaki Bukit Recreation Centre. Both projects are aimed at expanding social, recreational, and support offerings for the country’s migrant workforce.

Announced by Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash, the Recreation Hub model is designed to go beyond traditional facilities. It will integrate recreation with essential services, learning opportunities, and community engagement, creating multi-functional spaces where workers can rest, connect, and access support.

Soon Lee Recreation Centre, currently the largest in Singapore and serving over 40,000 workers, will be redeveloped into a flagship hub with nearly double the usable space. Once completed by 2030, it is expected to serve more than 100,000 workers. 

The upgraded facility will include weather-proof sports infrastructure, retail and food outlets, a medical centre, and dedicated spaces for government services and community organisations.

Meanwhile, Kaki Bukit Recreation Centre, which serves workers in eastern Singapore, will also undergo significant enhancements. The upgraded site will increase its capacity to support over 20,000 workers and introduce improved sports facilities, as well as a wider mix of dining and retail options.

Both centres will incorporate flexible spaces that can be quickly converted for emergency or contingency use, such as medical services or vaccination centres, reflecting lessons learned from recent global health crises.

MOM said the redevelopment projects are intended to transform these centres into “destinations of choice” for migrant workers, offering not just leisure but also a sense of belonging and community. “We hope that every worker will find in these centres a home away from home,” said Dash.

The projects will follow a two-stage design consultancy tender process, beginning with the current EOI phase. Shortlisted bidders will later be invited to submit detailed design proposals, with final consultants appointed to oversee design and implementation.

The dual redevelopment marks a continued investment by Singapore in improving living and social infrastructure for its migrant workforce, positioning these hubs as key pillars in fostering inclusion and well-being.