Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

Singapore-The avid badminton player Jiten Khemlani used to wake up at dawn just to book a stadium, which will be published on the ActiveSG website two weeks in advance.

However, IT solutions consultants no longer need to "set up" to make reservations, because more than 40 new badminton courts have been opened at the Singapore Expo Convention Center and Suntec City Convention Center.

The 32-year-old player recently won at least one seat every week in at least one of the 22 courts of the Singapore Badminton Stadium @世博会, where he played at least 10 times.

Teamsport Arena @ Suntec also has 20 stadiums.

He said: "The (Expo) stadium (compared to the ActiveSG stadium) is newer and cleaner. The surface is good because it is easier to move around and does not slip easily.

"It is a good thing that these courts are open because it gives people more opportunities to play badminton, because other courts are difficult to book."

Richard Tan, CEO of Arina Holdings, which runs the facility, said that since it opened in September, an average of 60% of slot machines are booked every day.

His company also operates 14 stadiums in its Geylang branch. It took three weeks to set up the stadiums in half of Hall 6 of the Singapore Expo and spent US$300,000 to US$400,000 on the setup.

He has signed a one-year lease for the site, but hopes to keep the court there for a longer period of time.

59-year-old Tan said: “This is a win-win cooperation, because if there is no activity, the area is dead, and now more people are coming, which helps businesses and people in the area enjoy more badminton. field.

"My workers and materials have also been better utilized."

A spokesperson for Constellar, the event company that manages the Singapore Expo, said: "Badminton has always been a popular sport in Singapore. As more and more people look for leisure options there, the demand for courts has increased during the pandemic. .

"We have seen the opportunity of the Singapore World Expo. This product can meet the needs of badminton enthusiasts and leisure enthusiasts. The low-impact wooden floor, non-slip mats and individually illuminated courts can simulate the lighting of the game and enhance the experience."

The opening hours of slot machines in Expo facilities are from 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 10 pm on weekends. During off-peak hours (from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays), the hourly rate is US$12, and the other hours are US$18.

On November 25, 2021, a shuttle in the badminton court of Pavilion 6 of the Singapore World Expo. ST photo: DESMOND FOO

The stadium at Teamsport Arena @ Suntec is operated by the sports equipment company Teamsport Singapore. It costs US$15 per hour on weekdays (from 7 am to 6 pm) and during peak hours (from 6 pm to 11 pm on weekdays, and from 7 am to 11 pm on weekends) Point) $30 per hour.

Although the price of the stadium in the conference center is slightly higher than that in the ActiveSG Stadium ($3.50 to $9.70 per hour) or the OCBC Arena ($5 to $13 per hour), this does not prevent players from playing badminton matches every week.

When the Straits Times visited the Singapore Badminton Stadium@世博会 in the evening on weekdays, eight courts were being used at 7pm, but after an hour, all the courts were full.

Similarly, at Teamsport Arena @ Suntec in the evening of weekdays, starting from 8pm, all venues in Hall 601/602 are fully utilized.

Teamsport Singapore founder Toon Ong added that this place is always full during peak hours, and 70% of bookings are made in the afternoon, and the morning is the quietest.

Darren Tan, a 25-year-old business undergraduate who recently played at Teamsport Arena @ Suntec for the first time, said that he and his friend were initially delayed by the high price, but decided to give it a try.

He often plays in various stadiums in Bishan, Yao Chukang and Yishun.

"We have no choice. It is really difficult to book a stadium (at the ActiveSG Stadium). Even if we get it, we have to wait two months," said the last-year student of Singapore Management University who is participating in the badminton competition. For the first time in a year.

"My friends and I really like playing there. It beats other stadiums because stadiums are usually dusty and a little stuffy. So this air-conditioned place is an added bonus.

"We may come occasionally, but honestly, the price is really worrying."

Ong, 32, admitted that his facilities are more expensive, but pointed out that his court will help meet Singapore's high demand for badminton courts.

"Booking a stadium here is a challenge, all the behavior of snatching and reselling the stadium is not ideal. We want to be inclusive and open to the public.

“If you divide it by the number of players, it’s still affordable. Look at the quality of the game...you can play 80-90% of the time because it’s an air-conditioned The venue, so you're actually playing more."

He chose Suntec City Convention Center as the venue because of its central location and high ceilings in the lobby. His start-up cost is six figures, including decoration and installation, and his lease is also renewed year by year.

A spokesperson for Suntec Singapore said: "We are very happy to be selected as the venue for the Teamsport badminton court."

In addition to providing more sports facilities for Singaporeans, Ong also hopes to bring more badminton enthusiasts into his space through the Meetup team operated by the company and organizing competitions for players of different levels.

If all goes well, he also plans to set up more stadiums in other parts of Singapore and get involved in other sports, such as table tennis, fencing and mixed martial arts.

Serge Divino returned to the Singapore Expo stadium after a two-month break. He hopes that the stadium can stay and give players more choices.

The 42-year-old IT worker pointed out that the operator even considered player feedback and the lights there were brighter than when he visited for the first time in September.

He added: “We don’t have to camp here. Now there are more options to play and you can play more. This also helps other people who want to play because they may feel pressured after get off work or during a pandemic. Just want to exercise.

"The cost is a bit high, but I am addicted to badminton, I really miss playing ball, so this is a good choice."

Nicholas Mak, head of research and consulting for ERA Realty, said that operating such sports facilities in the showroom is a creative use of underutilized space during the pandemic, and this situation will continue as long as the pandemic restricts the use of the showroom. . Used in conventions and major meetings.

Operating such sports facilities in the exhibition hall is a creative use of underutilized space during the pandemic. ST photo: DESMOND FOO

He said: “Covid-19 restrictions still prevent people from gathering in large numbers. Look at badminton, it’s not as close as football or basketball. They are still spaced apart, and you can space different groups of players further because of the conference area. The volume is very large.

"It may not be as profitable as holding exhibitions. (But) it allows them to switch back to the conference hall quickly when they need space, and they don't have to spend a lot of money or energy."

He also believes that this is a win-win situation, and explained: "Let people exercise in a relatively comfortable environment is a service to the community.

"(And) it may also have a positive spillover effect because the court itself will attract people to this place and may bring additional business to the surrounding shops and restaurants."

Off-peak hours (7 am to 6 pm on weekdays): US$5 per hour (citizens and permanent residents), US$6.50 (standard rate) Peak: US$8, US$13

Off-peak period (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays): US$12 Peak period: US$18

Off-peak period (7 am to 6 pm on weekdays): US$15 Peak period: US$30

Join ST’s Telegram channel here to get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

MCI (P) 031/10/2021, MCI (P) 032/10/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. The number is 202120748H. Copyright © 2021 SPH Media Limited. all rights reserved.

We have encountered some problems with subscriber login, and we apologize for the inconvenience caused. Until we resolve the issue, subscribers can access ST Digital articles without logging in. But our PDF still needs to log in.