Sports Hub to be completed by early 2014, to host 2015 SEA Games instead

Delays in the building of the Sport Hub have scuttled Singapore’s dream of hosting the 2013 South-east Asia Games.

The country is now aiming to host the 2015 SEA Games instead.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports told the Parliament on Tuesday that he has ‘informed the President of the SEA Games Federation that it would be ideal for Singapore to host the 2015 SEA Games instead of 2013′.

‘The SEA Games is a significant event in Singapore’s sporting calendar. We would therefore like the SEA Games to be the first international event held in the new Sports Hub,’ he said.

The billion dollar project had been delayed by a steep rise in construction and material costs in the first half of 2008. Banks also shied away from lending during the global financial crisis.

However, Dr Balakrishnan said with the stabilisation of building costs and improvement in credit availability, the project is expected to get back on track in the ‘coming months’.

He said there had been ’significant interest’ from banks to extend loans again.

‘The consortium is targeting to get the contract signed or what is known in the industry as ‘financial close’, by middle of this year, and to start construction thereafter. We expect construction of the sports Hub to be completed by end 2013 or early 2014.’

Source: Business Times, 12 Jan 2010