Work starts on Singapore’s Youth Olympic Village for 2010

Singapore, February 1, 2008 – Construction work for the University Town, where the Youth Olympic Village will be located, has commenced, following the groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Thursday, January 31, 2008.

The US$423-million (SGD $500-600 million) project will be completed in February 2010, half ayear before the start of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

PM Lee said: “We are delighted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has selected Singapore as one of two candidates in the final shortlist. We plan to use the University Town as the Youth Olympic Vilaage, and will make sure that it is completed in time for the Games.”

“We are a young nation and a small city state, but we have built a trusted brand name internationally as a reliable partner, able to get things done, and deliver on what we promise,” said Prime Minister Lee.

The Youth Olympic Village project is on the government’s “Green Lane” which is a fast track to ensure that it clears all regulatory and statutory processes quicker than normal without compromising on design standards or occupational health and safety.

Some facts about the Youth Olympic Village:

It is loacted 13km from the city centre and within 30 minutes’ travelling time to all sports venues

It is to be built to the latest environmental standards on a compact 19-hectare former golf course. The Youth Olympic Village integrates residential, education, cultural and recreational facilities in a seamless design that takes advantage of the natural lush terrain.

There will be a Residential Zone with eight 5 to 9-storey residential collegs, each consisting of either four- or six-bedroom apartments.

It will provide 5,000 beds – more than enough for all the athletes and officials expected to attend the YOG in 2010.

It will be equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities, including Village-wide wireless broadband