Places for Fun & Bonding
Places for Fun & Bonding
One of the key properties of NTUC Club, Downtown East is the beloved lifestyle destination where the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) members and their loved ones can have fun and celebrate their life moments. It has undergone an overhaul spanning five years, threading together popular programmes, food, retail and entertainment outlets, to better serve NTUC members and guests!
Read on to find out what's new about Downtown East!
Explaining our Downtown East logo
The colourful corners around our Downtown East logo visually represent the four pillars - Market Square, Wild Wild Wet, D'Resort and MUCE (Membership & Union Community Engagement).
Undoubtedly the biggest project by NTUC Club in the last decade, the five-year $200 million redevelopment of the lifestyle destination by the Labour Movement was officially completed in 2018. The redevelopment saw the launch of D'Resort, expansion of Wild Wild Wet and completion of Market Square. With this refreshment, Downtown East now offers a variety of experiences and exciting line-up of programmes, attracting over 12 million NTUC members and guests each year.
In November 2017, NTUC Club signed a Letter of Intent with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to collectively curate better technologies, solutions and innovations for Downtown East.
NTUC Club, Weishen Industrial Services, e2i, and the Ministry of Manpower co-organised a Technology Learning Journey at Downtown East, showcasing the use of the Autonomous Ecobot Scrubber, Smartwatch, Quality Audit System, Eco Mobile Washer and Food Waste Digester. The deployment of these technologies sought to increase productivity and simplify labour-intensive jobs.
Downtown East was awarded the prestigious BCA Universal Design Mark GoldPLUS Award 2019. The award recognised NTUC Club’s effort in offering a comprehensive and diverse range of facilities and programmes, engaging people of different ages and abilities to interact, collaborate, bond and have fun.
Comprising D'Resort and Wild Wild Wet, our facilities provide NTUC members and guests with experiences like no other in the East, serving a total of 27 million people over the past four years.
In 2017, D'Resort and Wild Wild Wet also won the Best Family Attraction and Best Family Resort at the Tripzilla Excellence Awards.
Opened in July 2015, amidst lush greenery and right on the doorstep of Pasir Ris Park, NTUC members and guests of the nature-inspired D'Resort enjoy enhanced facilities such as barbecue pits, function rooms, chill-out areas, patio, an Eco Garden, and F&B options. D'Resort has proven to be popular, maintaining a high occupancy rate of over 90% over the years. With 387 rooms of various themes, NTUC members and guests are spoilt for choice regardless of the occasion.
Facade of the nature-inspired D'Resort which remains popular among NTUC members and guests. 
NTUC members also enjoy privileges at D'Resort, such as booking of the exclusive Park View rooms, and complimentary access to Wild Wild Wet, amounting to savings of over $8 million per year.
Wild Wild Wet was ranked fifth in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2019 - Top 10 Water Parks in Asia, cementing our position as Singapore's top water park. As part of the Downtown East Refresh, Wild Wild Wet doubled in size to four hectares and is now integrated with D'Resort to allow resort guests seamless access to the park.
The water park completed its expansion in October 2017 with a total of seven new attractions. These include the new family-friendly areas such as Wet and Wild Fountain, Kidz Zone, Splash Play, as well as thrill rides such as Free Fall, Royal Flush, Vortex, and Kraken Racers. NTUC members and guests can also relax under the cosy cabanas found in the water park.
Wild Wild Wet continues to work with various partners to bring exciting attractions and programmes to the water park. 2019 saw the opening of Happy Fish Swim School and more novelty offerings will be added in time to come!
With over 280,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment area, Market Square provided a 20% increase in the number of retail, dining and entertainment choices for Downtown East. The good tenancy mix makes it a one-stop destination for NTUC members and guests.
Market Square is now home to popular brands like Tayo Station, the first Tayo character-based indoor playground in the whole of Southeast Asia; as well as one of the largest indoor skating rink in Singapore, Hi-Roller. Other new F&B and retail tenants include Eighteen Chefs, Andes by Aston, Takagi Ramen, Teo Heng KTV, O'Bar and BHG Welcia (Japanese Pharmacy) which commenced operations in 2018.
Downtown East's MUCE facilities provide venues for large-scale corporate and consumer events, or for celebratory occasions. These include D'Marquee, a fully air-conditioned, multi-purpose hall, function and ballrooms of various sizes at Begonia Pavilion, and repurposed outdoor areas like Open Plaza 1 and 2 for events.
In addition to corporate events and the annual May Day events, the facilities attract consumer events for brands such as BMW, Royal Sporting House, Kassim Baba, Audio House and more.
We have stepped up programming efforts, and are constantly innovating and introducing new events to strengthen engagement and enhance the vibrancy of Downtown East. Check out five of Downtown East's most popular events below.
Downtown East celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018, coinciding with the completion of the Refreshing Downtown East project. The star-studded, jam-packed weekend saw over 100,000 attendees reveling in the festivities as they enjoyed acts by The Sam Willows, THELIONCITYBOY, nEbO alumni Boon Hui Lu and Sufie Rashid and more! The event was attended by NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, NTUC Club's former Chairmen and CEOs, past leaders, unionists, corporate partners and stakeholders. It was a milestone that featured a string of events and a close-knit style gathering at Downtown East
Besides great music, attendees feasted on delectable culinary treats at the food bazaar, while some enjoyed releasing their inner child at the ever-popular Uncle Ringo Carnival.
We also launched our first-ever Downtown East booklet which sold over 10,000 copies. The booklet contained discounts and vouchers, and provided good value to members.
Additionally, union members and the public were invited to join in other fun activities at the Community Village. Those looking for a fun bonding activity with their loved ones also took part in 'The Race Through Time', an adventurous journey comprising 15 game stations around Downtown East
Eatbox, the popular outdoor street food festival at Downtown East,
attracted huge crowds with their wide range of food offerings and performances by local
artists.
Happening at Downtown East since 2019, Eatbox is an annual boutique food festival featuring 50 exciting local and regional food brands, alongside curated live music performances and urban art. In its second installment in 2020, the event served an embroidery of unique flavours from Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore, such as Laksa braised Kong Bak Bao, chilli crab gelato with Hong Kong bubblewrap waffle, and Sosro Teh Botol's exclusive Summer Paradise beverage.
Over the two consecutive weekends held, the event attracted over 30,000 event-goers who looked forward to taking Instagram-worthy photos against street art murals and creatively repurposed shipping containers. They were also entertained with roving performances by a percussion ensemble, Singapore's rising singers and even a food-eating competition.
Eatbox, the popular outdoor street food festival at Downtown East,
attracted huge crowds with their wide range of food offerings and performances by
local artists.
The annual Cosfest event at Downtown
East is one of the bigger events in Singapore for Japanese pop culture aficionados
and cosplayers.
A signature event of Downtown East for the past 18 years, Cosfest draws in an estimated 12,000 guests each year. Attracting both cosplayers and enthusiasts, the mega cosplay convention reinvents itself with a new theme each year to keep things fresh and exciting. Cosfest partnered with Warner TV in 2018 and 2019 to bring DC Comics Superheroes to the event, and also celebrated Batman's 80th Anniversary with an exclusive DC Cosplay Showcase in 2019.
Following the expansion of Wild Wild Wet in 2018, Cosfest introduced Cosfest WaterWorld, a unique experience where cosplayers enjoyed selected rides in their costumes or conducted photoshoots.
Photo credit Colossal Photos. Party-goers at the inaugural
Songkran Music Festival 2019 having a wet and wild time dancing to the beats of popular
DJs.
The party waves arrived on our shores! Held at Wild Wild Wet, the 2019 Songkran Music Festival drew in 1,500 participants who grooved to the beats of world-renowned DJ Quintino and other popular local artistes.
The festival featured dazzling water and lighting effects, while revelers enjoyed a wet and wild evening in the Tsunami Pool as it transformed into a wet party arena with water jets installed around the wave pool.
The event has become an iconic addition to the local music festival scene and Downtown East's list of signature events.
Photo credit Colossal Photos. Party-goers at the inaugural
Songkran Music Festival 2019 having a wet and wild time dancing to the beats of
popular DJs.
Family and friends enjoying a free outdoor movie screening
of My Neighbour Totoro.
Family and friends enjoying a free outdoor movie screening of My Neighbor
Totoro.
What's the best way to unwind after a day out at Downtown East? Enjoying a movie under the stars! The widely-popular outdoor movie screening draws a huge crowd every last Saturday of the month as Open Plaza 2 transforms into an outdoor movie theatre. Guests enjoyed free popcorn and nachos too.
Orchid Country Club (OCC) joined the NTUC Club family in 2019, expanding our brocade of leisure and entertainment offerings for members and guests. Sharing resources and networks, members can now enjoy more privileges with access to an extensive range of sports and recreation facilities, as well as programmes under the group.
Over the past four years, OCC has seen many significant achievements and developments.
In 2016, OCC renewed its land lease for a further term of seven years, till 31 December 2030. The lease extension allows OCC to continue its mission to ensure that social club facilities and quality golfing continue to be made affordable for the working people of Singapore.
The year 2018 was a significant one for OCC as she celebrated her 25th Anniversary. OCC also hosted the annual Tripartite Golf Friendly, which marked the 25th Anniversary of Tripartism. Attended by Guest-of-Honour, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and representatives from the Government, Union and Employer sectors, they celebrated OCC's accomplishments while building strong relations with one another.
To cater to the changing needs of golf members, 2017 saw the launch of a new membership category - Weekday Term Golfing Membership (WTGM). This has proven to be popular, with 134 sign-ups to date.
To stay ahead of the latest wedding trends, OCC unveiled its newly built Garden Pavilion at the Tee Garden (level one of the Social Clubhouse) in 2019. Couples can now exchange wedding vows under the azure blue sky while being surrounded by lush greenery. The rustic setting together with the picturesque and romantic pavilion, provides a unique experience that creates lasting memories for everyone to cherish. In the same year, OCC also launched radio-frequency-identification (RFID) membership cards to improve registration, facility access, payment and security processes for its members.
As part of the tapestry that makes up Downtown East, Aranda Country Club (ACC) joined the NTUC Club family in 2019, and currently boasts an active member base of over 2,000 since its launch in 1995. ACC has a built-area of 32,380 square feet, with a total land spread of over 200,000 square feet. It consists of facilities such as executive suites, restaurants, lounge, swimming pool and gym, just to name a few.
The past four years saw refurbishment works carried out at the popular Country Club to serve its members better. Some of these include the installation of new lifts, renovation of the swimming pool, among other infrastructure works to refresh the facility.
ACC recently renovated its swimming pool to better serve the needs
of its members.
Singapore's only 18-hole public golf course and located right next to the Central Business District, Marina Bay Golf Course (MBGC) proves popular among both amateur and professional golfers. MBGC embodies NTUC Club's service excellence core value, receiving a string of awards in the past four years - Best Public Golf Course in Asia Pacific, Best Value for Money Golf Experience in Asia Pacific, Top 3 Best Course in Singapore, Top 3 Best Managed Golf Club in Asia Pacific and Top 3 Best Maintained Course in Asia Pacific. MBGC is the preferred partner of my golf kaki - a non-estate golf club to encourage golfing as a sport among National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) members. To date, it serves a membership base of 7,000 members.
In 2016, MBGC became the first in Singapore to unveil a Par 6, measuring 651 metres from the black tee. The longest hole on the island was introduced in conjunction with its 10th anniversary, and golfers looked forward to a new challenge on the course. In the following year, a Par 24, 6-hole putting course featuring 211 metres of natural grass putting surface was open for play to the public. The uniquely designed putting course with its undulations, careful contouring and holes of varying lengths, is fun and challenging for the whole family, and serious golfers alike.
In 2019, MBGC launched the first 2-in-1 course in Singapore by adding a new configuration, known as Course B to its existing Course A configuration. With two configurations in one course, golfers can experience the golf course in a different light and derive a different experience out of playing 18 holes.
In its quest to create a new level of fun and thrill for golfers, MBGC introduced two-wheel golf scooters in 2018. Given its popularity among golfers, three-wheel golf scooters were brought in for play on the golf course in the following year.
In 2019, MBGC partnered with leading golf technology provider, Foresight Sports, to introduce Total RangeTM, a cutting-edge performance and entertainment technology, suitable for players of every age and skill level. The launch monitor system, together with a large touch-screen console, allows range patrons to obtain real-time performance feedback and access a library of world-class championship courses, games and skill-building challenges.
Orchid Bowl welcomed two new outlets at SAFRA Punggol and Our Tampines Hub in 2016 and 2017 respectively, bringing the total number of outlets to four. The brand also celebrated its 25th anniversary in January 2019.
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the innovative design and hardware of Orchid Bowl SAFRA Punggol led it to clinch the Best New Centre (Traditional) category in the 32nd Annual Architecture and Design Awards by the International Bowlers Journal in 2016. The 30-lane bowling centre at Our Tampines Hub provides a luxurious and comfortable experience where bowlers are guaranteed to have a ball of a time.
A hub for casual and professional bowlers, Orchid Bowl frequently organises and hosts events such as the annual U Grand Masters Bowling Championships, the Singapore National Games 2018, and the National Schools Games Bowling Championship 2016.
Orchid Bowl also manages the U Bowling community with more than 450 members, providing an avenue for the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) members and the public to bond over their interest in bowling. Members of this interest group are invited to participate in exclusive events such as the annual U Bowling Road to Championship, CNY Challenge and Good Friday Fun Bowl. They also enjoy discounted rates at all Orchid Bowl outlets. NTUC members, in particular, enjoyed savings of over $1.7 million in the past four years.
Bowlers are guaranteed a rolling good time with Orchid Bowl's updated facilities.
Clubhouses have constantly explored different concepts, added fresh textures and colours to rejuvenate its entertainment scene.
Happy Days was remodelled into a functional workspace by day and chill-out lounge by night. 2halveS @ Happy Days has a range of facilities, such as free Wi-Fi and meeting rooms with presentation amenities, to cater to freelancers and the changing work needs of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) members. Happy Days has also recently added a new bar area to provide finger food for NTUC members and guests.
Located in the city area, Union Square was transformed into a venue with a space for social dancing for members, with a new meeting room to better cater to the needs of NTUC members, serving as an avenue for social engagement and interaction. These changes seek to create synergy amongst unions, with Union Square as the go-to venue for these gatherings.
Since 2018, Scarlet City has also revamped to provide a more wholesome family experience, with the addition of popular F&B and karaoke establishments, like Eighteen Chefs, I'm Kim and Teo Heng. Scarlet City remains a crowd favourite in the heartlands, providing an all-in-one experience where guests can enjoy a day of fun.
In 2017, Jest D'Place facilitated the selection of pool representatives for the SEA Games.
Our revamped clubhouses provide a
mix of workspaces and entertainment facilities that cater to your working or socialising
needs.
Switch by Timbre X aims to create an engagement platform to reach out to youths and PMEs, expanding NTUC Club's entertainment choices for NTUC members.
The introduction of the Day and Night concept at Switch by Timbre X in 2019 meant that the singular space could now serve multiple purposes. In the day, the venue is transformed into a work lounge, attracting self-employed persons and freelancers who are seeking a centrally located workspace at affordable prices. This is in line with the Labour Movement's goal of supporting portfolio workers as part of the Workers 4.0 initiative.
When night falls, the professional workspace is transformed into a bilingual Mandarin and English live music venue and restaurant bar. Switch by Timbre X also adopted an omni channel approach to their music, featuring live performances by local talents, as well as streaming performances of popular Tik Tok artistes from the region. Leveraging on the concept of tasty food and good music, this clubhouse has been successful in reaching out to the young.
As the trusted event partner of the Labour Movement (LM) with over three decades of experience under its belt, Quebec Leisure is the expert when it comes to engaging and bonding our workers through various activities. We have organised high-profile events such as the NTUC National Delegates' Conference, Family Fun Fiesta, May Day events, Migrant Workers' Celebrations, Domestic Workers' Celebrations, as well as other corporate and private events.
Expanding its capabilities through strategic partnerships to bring higher quality events for its clients, we can look forward to technologies such as virtual reality, visual effects and computer-generated imagery for future events.
