Decision for Government to Take Over Ownership and Management of Singapore Sports Hub

1 Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth in light of the decision of the Government to take over the ownership and management of the Singapore Sports Hub, whether there are any concrete plans for key national community events like the National Day Parade to be held at the National Stadium as this would allow many more spectators to experience the Parade “live” than at its present site.

2 Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the learning points from the public-private partnership model adopted for the Singapore Sports Hub; and (b) what is the total amount spent by the Government in financing this development since its inception.

3 Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the outstanding responsibilities to be discharged by SportsHub Pte Ltd (SHPL) before SportSG will make payment upon termination of the public-private partnership (PPP); (b) what is the amount of the final payment and the basis of its calculation; and (c) what are the reasons for the Government’s decision for SportSG to take over earlier instead of the original PPP end-date in 2035.

4 Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are some examples of contractual limitations in the public-private partnership (PPP) with SportsHub Pte Ltd that prompted the Government’s decision to terminate the PPP; and (b) what are the types of events and activities that SportSG envisions to advocate for the benefit of the community once these limitations are removed upon its takeover of ownership and management of the Singapore Sports Hub on 9 December 2022.

5 Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what is SportSG’s vision and long-term plans to maximise the potential of the Singapore Sports Hub upon its take over on 9 December 2022; and (b) what is the model that SportSG intends to adopt for the operational aspects of the Singapore Sports Hub upon termination of the public-private partnership.

6 Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether the decision to terminate the public-private partnership with SportsHub Pte Ltd was due to their persistent failure to perform up to standard; and (b) what are Sport Singapore’s plans to improve the performance of the Singapore Sports Hub, particularly in driving sporting, social and community outcomes.

7 Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether SportSG has the right expertise and capabilities to manage and operate the Singapore Sports Hub after taking over from SportsHub Pte Ltd; and (b) whether SportSG intends to continue working with the private sector in the management and operation of the Singapore Sports Hub.

8 Mr Xie Yao Quan asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what are the financial and strategic reasons which led to the Government’s decision to terminate the public-private partnership on the Singapore Sports Hub.

9 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether there was an opportunity in 2008 to review the decision to develop the Sports Hub by a public-private partnership and, if so, why was the decision made to proceed with the public-private partnership (PPP); (b) what are the respective roles of SportSG and Sports Hub Pte Ltd (SHPL) in the PPP; and (c) whether any shortcomings by different parties in the PPP have been identified.

10 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the factors which SportSG considered in deciding to terminate the public-private partnership agreement with Sports Hub Private Limited; (b) what is the expected cost to the Government to take over the management of the Sports Hub including the compensation payable; (c) how does the Government balance the costs payable versus the benefits to the sporting community; and (d) how does this consideration differ from the situation in 2008 when the tender was awarded.

11 Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the long-term plans for the Singapore Sports Hub under SportSG; (b) what are the steps taken by SportSG to ensure that it has the capabilities to operate and run a world-class venue; and (c) to what extent will the public have access to the Singapore Sports Hub.

12 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth how will SportSG use the takeover of the Singapore Sports Hub as an opportunity to develop sports excellence at the junior level, notwithstanding the comparatively low commercial value of junior sports, to grow a broader pipeline of future high-performance athletes and sports champions.

13 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what have been the key performance indicators for the Singapore Sports Hub that are tracked by the Government in assessing the performance and viability of the public-private partnership (PPP) since its inception and to what extent have these been met; (b) what has triggered the termination of the PPP in 2022; (c) what is the agreed cost of the termination to be paid to Sports Hub Pte Ltd; and (d) what are the main causes of the PPP not working out.

14 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) how will the plans for SportSG differ from the past to ensure better utilisation of the Singapore Sports Hub; and (b) what considerations must be in place to balance an effective usage of the facility for world-class sporting events versus community use.

15 Ms Poh Li San asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth in view of SportSG taking full ownership and management of the Singapore Sports Hub from December 2022 (a) how will the upcoming Kallang Alive facilities such as the Football Hub, Kallang Tennis Centre, Youth Hub and Velodrome be funded for development and running costs; and (b) how can these facilities in the Kallang sporting and entertainment hub hosting world-class sporting events, be made accessible and affordable to both Singaporean athletes and spectators.

16 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the objectives and performance criteria set for SportSG when it takes over ownership and management of the Singapore Sports Hub in December 2022; (b) whether SportSG has the expertise to manage the Singapore Sports Hub; and (c) what is the estimated additional taxpayer revenue needed annually for the Singapore Sports Hub after SportSG takes over.

17 Mr Raj Joshua Thomas asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what is the financial cost to the Government arising from the termination of the public-private partnership agreement over the ownership and management of the Singapore Sports Hub.

18 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether there have been or will be any review done to look into the issues surrounding the termination of the Singapore Sports Hub public-private partnership, including (i) the financial impact and implications that relate and led to the termination and (ii) other reasons why the partnership has to be terminated.

19 Mr Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth in view of the termination of the project agreement with Sports Hub Pte Ltd and the Government taking full ownership and management of the Sports Hub (a) what are the reasons for the failure of this public-private partnership (PPP); (b) what lessons have been learnt; and (c) what guidelines will be put in place to ensure the goals of the stakeholders in future PPP contracts are aligned.

20 Mr Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth in view of the Government taking full ownership and management of the Sports Hub (a) what is the expected annual cost of running the Sports Hub; and (b) what are the criteria for success for the Sports Hub when SportSG takes over.

The Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr Alvin Tan) (for the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission to have to have Question Nos 1 to 20 taken as part of the Ministerial Statement to be delivered by the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Mr Edwin Tong at tomorrow’s Sitting, or at a Sitting in August 2022 if he is still COVID-positive tomorrow.