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Here’s why more than 700,000 people have visited HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir

As our newest clubhouse turns one, we look back at the reasons that have contributed to its popularity.

TEXT: ALYWIN CHEW
IMAGES: HOMETEAMNS

A year has passed since the launch of HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, which has been a hit among HomeTeamNS members and the general public alike.

The five-storey clubhouse has welcomed more than 700,000 visitors since it officially opened on 4 January 2023. It is no surprise, either, that the new facility has been so well-received — after all, this labour of love was specifically created for Home Team NSmen, by Home Team NSmen.

To realise their vision of a state-of-the-art recreational  venue that is both easy on the eye and the environment, the HomeTeamNS Clubhouse East Development Committee worked closely with consultants, architects, and contractors over the course of several years.

And their efforts have paid off. The clubhouse has earned the Green Mark Platinum certification issued by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority, which evaluates buildings’ environmental impact and performance.

Among the reasons behind these accolades, are roofs made from high solar reflectance index (SRI) materials that reflect away heat from the sun so that less energy is required to cool the building, as well as energy-efficient lights and smart lighting systems that also play a role in reducing energy consumption.

Another highlight of the clubhouse is its smart digital capabilities. East Villa’s waterfront villas that overlook Bedok Reservoir, for instance, feature cardless access via a QR code generated on the HomeTeamNS Mobile App.

The use of smart technologies extends to the clubhouse’s multitude of exciting facilities. These include multi-level obstacle course Action Motion, which combines augmented reality with physical challenges, and features score tabulation through RFID wrist tags that track players’ progress at various recording stations.

Looking to beat the tropical heat while testing your agility? Check out Aqua Adventure, a massive three-storey indoor water adventure centre featuring Singapore’s longest indoor waterslide, a wet rope course, as well as climbing walls and a laze  pool. Other amenities are a supersized Fitness Workz gym built for crossfit practitioners, yoga studio, six-lane infinity swimming pool, grand pillarless ballroom, and an array of F&B outlets.

If you haven’t already visited HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, here are more reasons to do so.

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

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Family Time Club Buzz

8 March holiday activities to get your kids out of the house for some fun

To avoid a week spent staring at screens, take the young ones on a journey of discovery around Singapore.

PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS, SHUTTERSTOCK, HAY DAIRIES

TEXT:  MELODY TAN

The one-week school holidays in March can feel neither here nor there – too short to make travelling outside the region feel worthwhile, yet too long to spend doing nothing.

Luckily, there’s plenty to do in Singapore. Play tourist for a day and take your little ones out for a leisurely picnic, unlock their scientific minds with enriching activities, or give them a taste of farm life. With so much fun on the cards, this short break just might prove one of the highlights of your family’s year yet.

1. EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Ever heard of the Gen Z phrase “go touch some grass”? Used to imply that someone is spending too much time online and is hence out of touch with reality, it’s the perfect antidote to screen addiction.

Take your kids to the sprawling Marina Barrage for a DIY picnic on real grass and let their imaginations soar as they fly kites against the backdrop of the city skyline or engage in a friendly game of tag.

If the weather proves too humid, retreat to the Sustainable Singapore Gallery on the second floor for an interactive learning hour about Singapore’s sustainability journey and the impact of climate change on our island.

Venue: 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951

Operating hours: Marina Barrage – 24 hours, daily; Sustainable Singapore Gallery – 9am to 6pm daily, except Tuesdays

2. DISCOVER SOME FARMYARD FUN

You don’t have to fly out of Singapore to experience farm life. Hay Dairies Goat Farm offers tours of its premises, including an up-close milking demonstration – in which the goats show off their very Singaporean ability to queue up in an orderly manner – and an opportunity to feed these animals with alfalfa hay.

You can also opt for a free-and-easy exploration of the farm and purchase fresh goat’s milk before heading home. It’s a great experience for kids whose prior encounters with animals may be limited to their own pets. Pro-tip: Arrive early at 9am to catch the milking session.

Venue: 250 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 719866

Operating hours: 9am to 4pm daily, except Tuesdays

3. SEE SINGAPORE FROM UP HIGH

When was the last time you rode a cable car? Whisk the whole family away on an aerial journey with breathtaking views of Singapore’s cityscape with Mount Faber Leisure. Did we mention that HomeTeamNS members get 30% off the Cable Car Sky Pass (Round Trip)?

Start your day at Mount Faber before continuing to Sentosa to relish other perks, such as 20% off the Wings of Time (Standard) laser light show and 15% off SkyHelix Sentosa, an open-air gondola ride that is the highest of its kind in Singapore.

HomeTeamNS members also enjoy 30% off the Sentosa Island Bus Tour, a guided experience that offers informative insights into Sentosa’s transformation from sleepy island to vibrant holiday destination.

Venue: 109 Mount Faber Road, Faber Peak, Singapore 099203

Operating hours: 8.45am to 10pm (last boarding: 9.30pm)

4. EGG ON THE KIDS TO HAVE FUN

It’s an egg-citing time for the little ones at HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier’s Easter Eggcellent Day. Let them loose on an Easter Hunt before getting them to unleash their inner Picasso at the Easter Egg Painting Competition, with the Grand Prize – Apple Watch SE.

There are also water-themed activities such as watercolour painting and water conservation games, as well as free giveaways of candy floss and popcorn. Topping it all off, go for a swim with free access to the pool after 6pm with Unicorn and Flamingo floats provided. After the day, the kids might be hopping like Easter bunnies on a sugar high, but this once-in-a-year indulgence will make their March holiday memories so much sweeter.

Date: 23 Mar 2024, from 2pm to 6pm

Venue: 31 Ah Hood Road, HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier, Singapore 329979

5. COOL OFF WITH A DIP N’ SPLASH

This beloved event from HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir is back with a splash! Held at the Atrium and swimming pool, Dip N’ Splash is packed with fun and excitement for the whole family.

Indulge your taste buds at the food stalls offering piping-hot churros and popcorn, then dive into the array of games at the booths. For kids who prefer to stay on dry land, there’s plenty to keep them entertained, with a bouncy castle, balloon-sculpting and engaging colouring activities. Meanwhile, the water babies can revel in the transformed swimming pool, where inflatable floats, paddle boats and a thrilling obstacle course await.

Date: 9 Mar 2024, from 9am to 6pm

Venue: 900 Bedok North Rd, HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, Singapore 479994 (Level 2)

Tickets are $10 for HomeTeamNS members, which includes 29 coupons, complimentary candy floss and popcorn and access to the swimming pool station. Get your tickets here: https://www.hometeamns.sg/events/dipn-splash-bedok-reservoir/ 

6. LEARN TO MAKE EVERY DROP COUNT

Continuing with the water theme, HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok is holding a Water Conservation Week from 10 to 16 Mar 2024.

Learn the importance of conserving water in the exhibition and win PUB merchandise by completing puzzles and games. On top of that, kids can practise their artistic skills with the water theme colouring activity, too. Admission is FREE.

Date: 10 to 16 Mar 2024

Venue: 2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7, HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok, Singapore 659003

7. BUILD CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE WITH SKILLFEST

Ignite your child’s passion for learning with SkillFest, a dynamic holiday programme focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M) education. This March Edition is themed around the element of Water, the programme is suitable for kids between 8 and 12 years old, with a minimum height of 1.25m.

The young participants will head to facilities such as Action Motion and Aqua Adventure to engage in hands-on learning through gameplay and interactive challenges that introduce S.T.E.A.M concepts in a creative and stimulating environment. In addition to building confidence, the kids will learn to think critically, innovate to solve problems, work with peers and develop essential communication skills.

Find out more here: https://www.hometeamns.sg/events/skillfest2024-march/

Date: 11 Mar 2024, from 9am to 6pm

Venue: HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir

Price: HomeTeamNS – $90 | PA/SAFRA – $120 | Public – $160

8. WHERE GIRL POWER AND SUSTAINABILITY MEET

Step into the world of empowerment and sustainability at Empower Bloom. This extravaganza at HomeTeamNS Khatib celebrates the synergy between women empowerment, sustainability, and eco-conscious living.

Explore the exhibitions showcasing HomeTeamNS Khatib’s sustainability journey from 9 Mar 2024 onwards. Also, check out the diverse array of offerings at the Market Place on 9 and 16 Mar 2024, brimming with products to support a greener lifestyle as well as complimentary movie screenings, eco – games and activities from 12 to 15 Mar 2024.

Keep an eye out for special appearances by bubbly mascots Water Wally and his younger sister Sally on 16 Mar 2024, and join them in championing sustainability and the power of women in shaping a brighter tomorrow.

Date: 9 to 17 Mar 2024

Venue: 2 Yishun Walk, HomeTeamNS Khatib, Singapore 767944 (Level 1, Thoroughfare)

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

Categories
Close Up

Why this Home Team NS man volunteered to patrol MRT stations on New Year’s Eve

ASP (NS) Lalithkumar Seenivasan believes in giving back to the community by safeguarding public security during his ICT deployments.

PHOTOS: ASP (NS) LALITHKUMAR SEENIVASAN

TEXT: ALYWIN CHEW

While his friends and family made merry, ASP (NS) Lalithkumar Seenivasan spent last New Year’s Eve patrolling Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations with his colleagues from the Public Transport Security Command (TransCom). Remarkably, this was not a compulsory In-camp Training (ICT) deployment — he had volunteered to serve the nation on the public holiday.

In fact, Lalithkumar — who had since March 2023 been working as a scientific research assistant in Hong Kong while waiting for his PhD Oral Defense at the National University of Singapore (NUS) — was excused from reservist duties at the time. While in Hong Kong however, he accepted an offer to take up a postdoctoral position in the United States (US).

Before assuming this new role in February 2024, he returned to Singapore to be with his family in late November. As he had plenty of time to spend with family and friends before proceeding to the US, he also thought about giving back to the community through reservist duties. Hence, he contacted his TransCom commanders and expressed his willingness to be deployed.

ALL FOR THE COMMON GOOD

Another reason he cites for volunteering during his downtime is the strong camaraderie he and his reservist mates share. They have known one another since serving National Service (NS) together about a decade ago.

Lalithkumar is a former Key Appointment Holder/Responsibility Appointment Holder (KAHRAH). This means that as part of his reservist, he committed to spending a few days each month collaborating on security deployment plans for major events like the National Day Parade, instead of a single ICT call-up that lasts several weeks. “I really like planning because it allows me to create a greater impact; the decisions we make affect the masses,” he says. “I guess you could say I’ve always been a ‘big picture’ sort of guy.”

That desire to help others is also why he is pursuing a career that involves artificial intelligence (AI) and surgical robotics. He explains that while doctors get to save lives, science and medical research have the potential to create innovations that complement the traditional medical treatment. As a biomedical researcher, Lalithkumar creates AI models that could one day guide intelligent surgical devices to make decisions in real time.

PUBLIC SAFETY 101

As a methodical planner, Lalithkumar particularly appreciates the importance of crowd control, of which TransCom officers play a key role. He cautions that lives can be lost when the flow of human traffic is not managed, such as in the case of Seoul’s deadly 2022 stampede that claimed the lives of 159 Halloween revellers.

Other responsibilities of TransCom officers include identifying unattended bags and suspicious behaviour. What qualifies as the latter? Lalithkumar clarifies that while taking photos inside MRT stations doesn’t constitute a crime, aiming your phone at CCTV cameras could land you in hot water because it may seem like you are casing the place for nefarious purposes.

Another improper use of phone cameras that TransCom officers always look out for is the taking of upskirt photos. In such cases, he says the public can also play a role in deterring crime. “It’s almost second nature to use the phone while on the escalator or waiting for the train to arrive, but try to take some time away from the screen to scan your surroundings and be aware of what’s happening,” he urges. “And if you do notice something out of the ordinary, like an unattended bag, don’t hesitate to alert the authorities. It’s better to be safe than sorry!”

Looking ahead, Lalithkumar expects to pursue a professorship overseas after completing his postdoctoral tenure in the US. But he also wants to return to Singapore for short trips to visit his loved ones.

And just like before, he will be making himself available for ICT deployments. “I want to give back to the community because I’m grateful to Singapore for giving me the opportunities to pursue my passions,” he explains.

“I was not born here but I’ve never faced discrimination. I have a level playing field that allows me to achieve whatever I aspire to as long as I work hard.

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App, and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

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