Dual-use rugby and football pitches re-turfed with professional-grade zoysia grass, with similar works underway for the cricket field, are among the latest features of The Singapore Cricket Club (SCC)’s upgraded sports centre at Dempsey Hill.
The SCC completed a major redevelopment of its sports centre at Dempsey Hill over the past 15 years, with Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong officiating its opening on Feb 14.
“It’s been a long while, but we’re finally here,” said SCC President Mathavan Devadas, speaking at the event. “SCC prides itself on being a premier sports club, and this facility builds on that commitment.”
The club’s investment reflects a broader mission, he added. “We spent over S$6.5 million in maintaining and developing because we love sports. Not just for members. It’s about sports for all.”
The revamped facility also features a new multi-purpose court with a full-size competition netball and tennis court, enhanced changing rooms, and a food and beverage outlet.
The SCC first leased the Dempsey site from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) in 2008. This expansion was necessary as the club’s historic home at the Padang was increasingly used for national events.
Minister Tong recalled playing football at Dempsey decades ago.
“It’s a great pleasure to be back here,” he said. “When we first started playing here 25, 30 years ago, it was a football pitch only in name, in every other respect it was mud, it was full of potholes, but we all came anyway, religiously, week in, week out.”
He also referenced the lawyers’ Wednesday Shield tournament once held there. “It doesn’t matter if you won in court or not, but if you didn’t win on the pitch, you’re not really counted as a true lawyer,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
The redevelopment reflects the club’s strong sporting tradition and the importance of broad access to facilities, Mr Tong added.
“If you let a thousand flowers bloom, you let as many play as possible, you let there be facilities, training, infrastructure, programmes, great coaches, then one day you will be able to see that talent pipeline strengthen.”
The Dempsey grounds host National School Games for cricket and rugby, National Football League and National Cricket League matches, and training sessions for local and international schools. More than 1,000 children, including non-members, are enrolled in SCC’s youth development programmes across rugby, cricket, hockey, and football.
Mr Tong also highlighted the collaboration between the club and government agencies, including the SLA, Sport Singapore and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
“We look at land use as a driver of policy, not just as a place where you can recover rental,” he said. “We’re not just looking for financial return… but also for social return as a way of accounting for development of human capital, building of community, and in this case building strong sport.”
Calling himself “a fellow member,” Mr Tong said he was proud of the club community and its ability to balance competition with camaraderie.
“I’ve seen more than one occasion where we had a fierce battle on the pitch… but thereafter come together, have a meal, have a drink and share that occasion as friends,” he said. “That’s truly meaningful, and I hope to see that continue right here at SCC Dempsey.”
The club said it hopes the upgraded facility will continue serving both members and the wider sporting community for years to come. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially mark the completion of the upgraded facilities.
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12 Feb 2026 16:18
