Spottiswoode residents vote on estate enhancement proposals

One proposal involves setting up a sheltered barbecue pit at the amphitheatre, equipped with a water point, seating and a fan, to encourage family bonding and community interactions. It will cost around $120,000.

Another suggestion is to spruce up void decks at Blocks 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109 and 110 to support the hosting of events and gatherings, while strengthening social bonding. This will cost around $130,000.

One idea is the installation of a low child-friendly rock-climbing wall at Block 103 to promote healthy living. It will cost around $150,000.

Together, the six proposals would cost close to $550,000, against the $200,000 budget.

Therefore, each household needs to decide on the proposals it wants the most – within the budget – by casting its vote at the Spottiswoode Park Residents’ Network office from July 11 to 13.

The results will be out in late July, and construction of the selected projects will start from late 2026.

For retired bank executive Low Wai Mun, 60, who has been a Spottiswoode Park resident for two decades, the shared pickleball court and the barbecue pit are facilities that she can imagine herself using. She is excited to vote in this exercise.

Research administrator Mithilesh Mishra, 50, said that the reflexology path will promote active living for elderly residents, while the low rock-climbing wall will be fun for children.

Sarada Bulchand, a 47-year-old professor who has been living in the estate for seven years, is excited to finally have a proper facility to play pickleball. At present, she plays pickleball in random open spaces across the estate.

Foo said that this exercise gives residents a real say and a real stake in their neighbourhood, translating to a stronger sense of ownership of the spaces they use every day.

Separately, the master plan for Spottiswoode Park’s neighbourhood renewal plans was unveiled at the community exhibition.

Sheltered connections linking Blocks 103, 104, 106, 109 and 110 to nearby bus stops, barrier-free access ramps across the estate, and direct pedestrian and cycling links to the adjacent Rail Corridor were some of the features picked out from 26 submissions in the exercise, said IPS.

They were folded into the overall neighbourhood renewal plans as they involve larger structural works.

Other estate improvements in the master plan include upgrades to community pavilions, multi-generational fitness corners and playgrounds, as well as the construction of an estate-wide community garden.

The neighbourhood renewal programme will only proceed if at least 75 per cent of the estate’s eligible Singaporean households have voted for it.

At the same time, IPS noted that the remaining ideas from the participatory budgeting exercising that were not in the final shortlist were not discarded.

Municipal concerns including walkway lighting and recycling were passed to the Town Council, while community-programming suggestions were referred to grassroots partners for follow-up, it added.