"This is, after all, just an artist's impression," I told myself as I looked at the image depicting the football stadium in the upcoming
Toa Payoh Integrated Development Project, plastered on the hoardings surrounding the site where the
Toa Payoh Stadium once stood.
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| The mural of the football stadium |
From the mural, it appears that the stadium will be somewhat similar to
Our Tampines Hub (OTH), except there will be a spectator stand behind one of the goalposts positioned near the Pan Island Expressway (PIE).
However, it remains unclear whether a similar arrangement will be made for the area facing the main stand or behind the goalposts near Toa Payoh Lorong 6, based on the drawing.
THE CHALLENGE OF MULTI-PURPOSE SPACES
Given how the "Town Square @ OTH" (the football field at OTH) is utilised, it wouldn't be surprising if football has to compete with other activities once this integrated development, scheduled for completion in 2030, is finished.
Meanwhile, we are patiently awaiting the completion of another upcoming 5,000-seater football stadium at the
Punggol Regional Sports Centre, which was meant to be completed last year if not for the Covid pandemic.
THE URGENT NEED FOR MORE STADIUMS FOR SPL MATCHES
The urgency to see more playing fields available is crucial, considering the limited number of stadiums used for Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches since stadium sharing began in 2019.
Not long ago, did we not see how poor the condition of Bishan Stadium was during a recent SPL match?
