SINGAPORE – Residents of Choa Chu Kang can look forward to more affordable dining options, better connectivity and new recreational spaces close by as the town is refreshed over the coming decade.

The town’s first hawker centre will be ready when the integrated development close to Yew Tee MRT is completed around early 2027.

Its second hawker centre will be built as part of rejuvenation works to Choa Chu Kang town centre that are expected to commence once the new Jurong Region Line MRT station there is completed in 2027, said the Housing Board on Sunday.

On Sunday, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said other improvements to Choa Chu Kang town centre in the coming years include a new integrated transport hub next to the existing Choa Chu Kang MRT station and new commercial and community facilities, such as a pedestrian mall and a town plaza for performances, festive bazaars and fitness activities.

Mr Gan, an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, said at the launch of the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) exhibition at Keat Hong Community Club that the plans are another step to “further enhance our residents’ lives, strengthen our community bonds and make Choa Chu Kang an even better place to live, work and play”.

The upgrades are part of HDB’s ROH programme for Choa Chu Kang, which includes Yew Tee, Keat Hong and Teck Whye, where the town’s first HDB flats were completed in 1977.

Choa Chu Kang is among the latest batch of towns in the programme to be rejuvenated, along with Ang Mo Kio, Queenstown and Bukit Merah.

Apart from a new hawker centre, the Heart of Yew Tee integrated development will have a polyclinic, a kidney dialysis centre, shops and senior housing options.

Located a short walk from Yew Tee MRT station, it is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

Green and activity spaces across the town will also be enhanced, and feature more play spaces and rest stops.

A new activity corridor will be built stretching south from the Kranji Expressway next to Choa Chu Kang Park to Bukit Batok Road.

This will be linked to the existing Limbang Green Spine between Yew Tee MRT station and Limbang Park, which will have new fitness equipment and sheltered linkways.

Farther north, the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor that stretches from Pang Sua Canal to Yew Tee MRT station will have a new water play feature and community pavilion.

HDB said these improvements were in response to residents’ feedback for facilities that would support active lifestyles, and for more natural spaces where they can relax with friends and family.

It had conducted a survey and two rounds of focus group discussions with about 480 residents and stakeholders between 2020 and 2022 to better understand the improvements they wanted for the town.

To this end, Choa Chu Kang Park will be upgraded, and those who exercise along Sungei Peng Siang and Pang Sua Canal will also enjoy a more scenic and pleasant route, said Mr Gan.

“Some of you may also be excited by the BMX tracks which we will be introducing in 2024, as well as the Brickland Sport-in-Precinct in 2025, which will include a basketball court, fitness corners and playground for all to enjoy,” he added.

Four neighbourhood parks and three neighbourhood centres in Choa Chu Kang will also undergo a refresh, so residents can have more opportunities for recreation and bonding.

Ms Rupa Das, a Choa Chu Kang resident for 11 years, said she was excited at the plans, including the upgrading of Tembusu Park near her home.

The 42-year-old housewife is grateful the parks will be a place both for seniors to exercise and young people to play sports.

The other parks that will be upgraded are Keat Hong Park, Stagmont Park and Limbang Park.

Teck Whye Shopping Centre, Keat Hong Shopping Centre and Yew Tee Square will also be upgraded.

Safety officer Wong Kok Tong, 75, who lives opposite the upcoming Heart of Yew Tee development, said he looks forward to the completion of the new facilities.

Mr Wong said he currently travels quite often to Choa Chu Kang to visit the polyclinic and for more food options.

The town rejuvenation is “much needed” as many of the amenities at Yew Tee are getting quite run down, he said.