N※N

Singapore Unveils Temporary Aquatic Arena for 2025 World Championships

80

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. -aquatic-arena-for-2025-world-championships.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, December 12th 2025 at 0:40 GMT by Channel NewsAsia Singapore

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-12 224 x 224 / 16619 Bytes

2025-12-12 179 x 224 / 22708 Bytes

2025-12-12 224 x 224 / 12361 Bytes

2025-12-12 179 x 224 / 15290 Bytes

Singapore Builds a Temporary Aquatic Arena to Host 2025 World Aquatics Championships

Singapore’s Kallang Sports Hub is getting a high‑profile facelift as the city‑state gears up to host the 2025 FINA World Aquatics Championships. In a bid to meet the world‑class standards required by FINA, the government announced a comprehensive enhancement programme that will see a brand‑new temporary arena erected on the existing Kallang site. The initiative, which was detailed in a recent Channel NewsAsia report, is part of a broader strategy to position Singapore as a premier sporting destination in the region.

Why a Temporary Arena?

The 2025 Championships are slated to take place between July 25 and August 5, 2025, and will feature swimming, diving, open‑water events, and water polo. FINA’s stringent venue specifications—particularly regarding pool depth, lane width, and athlete facilities—mean that the existing Kallang Aquatic Centre is not adequate on its own. Rather than building a permanent mega‑complex that would sit idle for years after the event, the authorities have opted for a temporary arena that can be dismantled post‑championships. The plan is to combine the new structure with the existing Kallang Sports Hub, leveraging its modern infrastructure while adding the capacity needed for the world’s top aquatic athletes.

Design & Features

The temporary arena will occupy a footprint of roughly 3.5 hectares and is expected to accommodate 4,000 spectators in a single‑level configuration. Its modular design means that sections can be added or removed with minimal disruption to the surrounding precinct.

Key elements include:

In addition to the core competition facilities, the arena will include a swimming school and fitness centre that can be opened to the public during downtime. The arena’s design also incorporates retractable screens and a large LED scoreboard, ensuring that both athletes and spectators experience a high‑end visual spectacle.

Cost, Funding & Timeline

The total cost of the temporary arena and the associated enhancement works is estimated at S$30 million. Funding is a joint effort: the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Singapore Sports Council are covering 80 % of the budget, while the remaining 20 % comes from the Singapore Sports Hub Trust Fund and a modest public‑private partnership.

Construction is slated to begin in August 2024 and wrap up by March 2025, giving a tight but realistic 9‑month window before the championships kick off. A detailed project schedule was released by the MCCY, showing key milestones such as:

• August–September 2024: Site clearing, utility relocation, and delivery of modular components.
• October–December 2024: Assembly of pool shell and diving platforms.
• January–February 2025: Installation of seating, lighting, HVAC, and broadcast infrastructure.
• March 2025: Final inspections, certification by FINA, and opening ceremony preparations.

The temporary arena will be dismantled in late August 2025, after which the site will revert to its pre‑championship configuration, leaving no lasting footprint.

Environmental & Community Impact

Singapore’s “Green Infrastructure” strategy was a guiding principle in the arena’s design. The modular construction uses recycled steel and low‑carbon concrete, reducing the overall carbon footprint. Waste management plans involve on‑site sorting, with 90 % of construction debris earmarked for recycling or repurposing. In addition, the arena will incorporate a rainwater harvesting system that feeds into the pool’s filtration system, achieving a 30 % reduction in potable water use.

Beyond the environmental credentials, the temporary arena promises significant social dividends. The Kallang area—already a vibrant mixed‑use precinct with restaurants, retail outlets, and residential towers—will see an influx of visitors and athletes that will stimulate local businesses. The arena will also host community open‑days leading up to the championships, providing free or discounted access to swimming lessons, health talks, and sporting clinics for residents of all ages.

Linkages to Broader Sporting Ambitions

The temporary arena fits into a larger narrative of Singapore’s sports development. The country recently announced the Singapore Sports Hub 2030 Vision, which aims to nurture elite athletes while fostering mass participation. By hosting a global event of the World Aquatics Championships’ magnitude, Singapore showcases its ability to provide world‑class venues without committing to permanent mega‑structures that might be underutilized.

The Kallang project also dovetails with the Sports Innovation Hub initiative, which encourages collaborations between sport science researchers, corporate partners, and athletes. During the championships, a dedicated research centre will operate inside the arena, providing real‑time biometric data and analytics to participating teams.

In Summary

Channel NewsAsia’s coverage highlights a bold, time‑bound project that exemplifies Singapore’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community enrichment. The temporary arena at Kallang will not only meet the rigorous demands of the 2025 FINA World Aquatics Championships but will also leave a lasting legacy in the form of enhanced local facilities, environmental stewardship, and a rejuvenated public‑space that can be re‑imagined for future generations. As the construction work commences this autumn, all eyes will be on Kallang, where a temporary structure will turn into a global beacon of sporting ambition.