Former Singapore Badminton Hall
Sports hall | |
Construction | |
---|---|
Broke ground | 1 June 1951 |
Built | July 1951 |
Opened | 7 June 1952 |
Renovated | 2008–2009 |
Closed | January 2008 |
Reopened | May 2009 |
The Former Singapore Badminton Hall (
.The old facility was previously situated at 100 Guillemard Road. The hall's nearby building (102 Guillemard Road) was formerly the
The current Singapore Badminton Hall is located at 1 Lorong 23 Geylang.
History
Construction
The original Singapore Badminton Stadium was built in 1952 for the
In February 1951, SBA requested from the
The estimated
The Singapore Badminton Stadium was completed in May 1952. However, the SBA did not have sufficient funds to cover the total construction cost. Eventually, the hall was relinquished to the
Thomas Cup
Although it was completed in May 1952, the Singapore Badminton Stadium was not ready for the 2nd Thomas Cup Tournament that was scheduled on 27–28 May that year. The tournament was held at the Happy World Stadium, where the Malayan Team, which included Wong Peng Soon, Ong Poh Lim and Ismail Marjan, successfully defended their title.
On 7 June 1952, the Singapore Badminton Stadium was officially opened by the
In 1955, the 3rd Thomas Cup Tournament was held at the Singapore Badminton Hall for the first time. The Malayan Team won its 3rd consecutive title. The 4th Thomas Cup Tournament was also held at the badminton hall in June 1958 but the Indonesian team won this time.
Political events
In June 1959, a crowd of nearly 7,000 workers from 63
On 1 September 1962, the Singapore Badminton Stadium was the
Concerts
On 7 December 1959, the Singapore Badminton Stadium was the venue of Radio Singapore's all-star variety show, Puspawarna Singapura, which was hosted by P. Ramlee.
In February 1965, the
Southeast Asian Games
On 1 February 1978, the Singapore Sports Council took over the management of the Singapore Badminton Stadium after acquiring a 30-year lease from the Lands Office (now the
Chronicles (1930s – 2024)
Badminton sports for Singapore (since 1930s)
This recreational sport was first introduced to Singapore during the time of the British Colony.[2] The game, at the beginning, was essentially played within the circle of the affluent British residents in Singapore. Then in the 1930s, the badminton sport gained its popularity among the local population but mainly the upper social class such as the white collar workforce, the social elites from English speaking background. Students from Chinese education played it as well, but badminton might seem to be less widespread for the Chinese-educated who were usually less wealthy as compared to the English-educated. Nonetheless, the sport's wide acceptance certainly had to do with the ease at which how the preparation of the game was made—a minimum of only two players are needed and the court can be anywhere where the ground is flat and the place without wind[2]
The increasing passion for the sports had led to many badminton clubs formed among the local players be it professional or amateur. This was when the
After World War II, despite the negative impact on badminton due to the war, local badminton players started to shine in the international stage where the Malayan team won their first championship in the Thomas Cup in 1949.[2]
Construction of The Singapore Badminton Stadium (1949–1952)
The winning in 1949 allowed Malaya, particularly the SBA (a sub-association of Malayan Badminton Association,[4] to hold the next Thomas Cup Championship at its place since the winners were from Singapore. However, the sports halls available at that time were considered unsuitable for hosting any international tournaments. The President of SBA at that time, Lim Chuan Geok, thus made call for constructing new badminton hall.[5] The construction cost was planned to be funded through public fundraising.
The fundraising was later found to be challenging when the government revealed its plan to construct another stadium at the same time, misleading many to think that the new badminton hall was thus replaced. The diminishing amount of public donations together with the increasing cost of construction hindered the progress of the whole project. A sponsor of SBA, Aw Boon Haw (founder of "Tiger Balm"), donated a huge sum of money to finance the project.[6] The deficit was ultimately absorbed by the building contractor of the hall, C. H. Tong.[7] However, SBA was rendered in debt by the project.
The entire construction was finished in 1952. The Stadium was built to accommodate changing rooms, canteens, offices, 4 badminton courts and 5500 seats[11]. Ironically, the hall dedicated for the Thomas Cup ended up not being used for the incoming Championship because it was thought to be a gamble to let the Malayan team to perform in a hall environment to which they might not become acclimatised yet.[5] The Thomas Cup was held in Happy World Stadium in 1952 instead.
1955
The hall had its first time hosting the Thomas Cup Championship which was also the third-time tournament. Again, the Malayan team succeeded in defending their champion title.[5]
1958
The fourth Thomas Cup Championship was, too, held in the Singapore Badminton Stadium, but this time round, the Malayan team was defeated by Indonesian team.[5]
1959-1960
The year 1959 saw mostly the non-sporting events taking place in the Stadium. The People's Action Party (PAP) had made public speech to celebrate their victory in the general election. The Hall also served to hold entertainment activities such as dramas, dances and even erotic strip dance by the famous local "Strip Dancing Queen" Rose Chan.[5] In addition, from 1959 to 1960, Puspawarna Singapura, live recordings of variety shows were held by the Radio Singapore[5] with P. Ramlee (famous Malaysian singer, producer, composer) as the main host. It could be seen that the usage of the sports hall was less strict and exclusive. It might be out of an urge for SBA to increase its source of income and to clear off its debt from the construction.
1962
In 1962, the Stadium was used as a counting station for the voting over matter of
1965
A British rock band, The Rolling Stones, conducted their one-stop performance[8] at the badminton stadium. The over-excited spectators resulted in the collapse of a wall.
1978
Due to SBA's inability to pay off the debt from construction, the Stadium as well as the remaining debt was taken over by the
1983
12th Southeast Asian Game badminton tournament was hosted in the Hall.
1986
A tenant, the Fatty Weng restaurant, was opened at the Singapore Badminton Hall in 1986.
1993
17th Southeast Asian Game badminton tournament was held.
1999
The Old Singapore Badminton Hall was declared a historical site by the National Heritage Board to acknowledge its historical significance in 2 major events—the 2 times hosting of Thomas Cup Champions and the vote-counting for 1962 Malaya-Singapore Merger Referendum.[11]
2008
In January 2008, the SBA headquarters and Singapore Badminton Hall was officially closed down after the land lease contract ended and the Singapore Sports Council decided not to renew it given the rising price of the new lease. The Hall was then returned to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).[10]
2009
After a S$2-million refurbishment, the former Singapore Badminton Association building and the former Singapore Badminton Hall started its operation as Guillemard Village under the development by the Turf City Management.[12] The site was re-developed as a centre for food and beverage as well as leisure.
2011
Onsight Climbing Gym, the biggest indoor climbing gym in Singapore occupied the Old Badminton Hall.
2012
GymKraft, the biggest gymnastics gym in Singapore occupied the Old Badminton Hall.
2023
In September 2023, Singapore Badminton Association takes both the buildings on a 3 year (renewable for another 3 years) lease from Singapore Land Authority (SLA). The SBA plans to redevelop the facility into a modern Badminton stadium.
2024
New F&B outlets are opened. Hey Kee, a Hong Kong da pai dong style restaurant opens at 102 Guillemard Road. Vernacular Coffee opens up at 100 Guillemard Road. Getsome craft beers opens up at 100 Guillemard Road.
Anytime Fitnessopens it's gym at 100 Guillemard Road.
A modern Badminton hall, now renamed "Singapore Badminton Stadium @KFF Badminton Arena" is expected to open in June for public use.
Historical site
On 1 September 1999, the Singapore Badminton Hall was marked by the
Redevelopment
In July 2007, the Singapore Badminton Association announced plans to close the Singapore Badminton Hall, after the 30-year lease between the Singapore Sports Council and the
In January 2008, the SBA headquarters and Singapore Badminton Hall was officially closed down after the land lease contract ended and the Singapore Sports Council decided not to renew it given the rising price of the new lease. The Hall was then returned to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).[10]
In May 2009, after a S$2-million refurbishment, the former Singapore Badminton Association building and the former Singapore Badminton Hall started its operation as Guillemard Village under the development by the Turf City Management.[12] The site was re-developed as a centre for food and beverage as well as leisure. The Hall was deliberately refurbished to give retain the essence of the past, hopefully reminding people of the Gay World.[13]
In November 2009, a 24-hour prawn fishing restaurant known as Geylang Prawn Fishing Restaurant was opened, which occupied half of the former sports hall. In August 2011, The restaurant was closed at the hall upon its lease ended and moved to Punggol East Golf Club.[14]
As of 2013 occupants of the hall included the Brawn & Brains Cafe and the Onsight Climbing Gym.[8]
As of 1 September 2023, the Singapore Badminton Association signed a tenancy agreement with Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to take over the premises (including the adjacent 102 Guillemard Road building) for development. SBA has plans to redevelop this building into a sports & entertainment hub, with 9 world-class badminton courts, members lounge, gym, f&b facilities etc. The newly redeveloped badminton hall will be renamed back to its original name as "Singapore Badminton Stadium", and is topped to become Singapore's most technologically advanced 'Smart Stadium' with Wifi 7, live-streaming, large LEDs etc.
The redevelopment is expected to be complete by May 2024.
See also
References
- ^ Jeanette Wang (29 July 2007). "End of an era for Singapore Badminton Hall: Start saying goodbye". The Sunday Times.
- ^ a b c d Tan, J. H. (17 October 2002). "Badminton in Singapore". Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ^ E. (2005). "Tan Chin Tuan". Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ Han, L. P., Dr; Aman, M. S., Dr., The Transformation and Development of Badminton as a Global Sport Dominated by Asian Players, Teams, Sponsors and Brands, 1893-2012: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016, retrieved 2 March 2017
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f g Tan, B. (13 December 2011). "Former Singapore Badminton Hall". Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ^ a b Chen, Johnny (31 December 2016). "History Served in the Guillemard Road Forecourts". Historical Architecture. Singapore. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ^ "Badminton Hall hero' is contractor". The Straits Times. 11 May 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ a b c N. (14 December 2014). "Old Singapore Badminton Hall". Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ^ "SSC to take over Badminton Hall". The Straits Times. 28 May 1977. p. 9. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ a b c "Singapore Badminton Hall is opened - Singapore History". Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- Singapore Sports Council. Archived from the originalon 27 September 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Badminton hall reborn as F&B, leisure hub". 13 July 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Former Singapore Badminton Hall | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
- ^ "New Geylang Prawn Fishing". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
Other
- "The Singapore Badminton Association: History". Singapore Badminton Association. Archived from the original on 20 August 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2007.
External links