News of the upcoming closure of the Singapore Turf Club at Kranji stirred debate among TODAY readers this week. The announcement on Monday (May 5) took many by surprise, especially Turf Club employees, who were shocked and disappointed at the decision.
Some readers lamented the move, saying that they feared the closure of the 180-year-old recreational institution would make Singapore more “boring”. Others cheered the removal of a gambling option, but questioned why some golf courses or football stadiums, which also take up valuable real estate, are not making way for other land uses instead. Here’s a selection of comments:
WHAT ABOUT OTHER UNDERUTILISED VENUES?
“(For) a small island, we have too many golf courses occupying vast land areas. Why don’t the authorities close a few and combine the clubs for public housing?” THANGAVELOO KADIRESAN
“Totally not acceptable! What’s next? It’s like saying the football stadiums aren’t filled… so we are going to remove football from Singapore? (The) Singapore Turf Club is part of Singaporean culture… It’s entertainment.” CHANDRAN SUPPIAH
“Numbers at (Singapore Turf Club) have declined, (but) numbers at football stadiums have declined too, and we still have hundreds of football fields on the island.” BENHUR SEBASTIAN
“Digital horses will take over, just like digital casinos. If there’s a will to gamble, there’s a way…” SIMON SIM
“We are land scarce. Gambling on horses generates some jobs and revenue, (but it) probably pales in comparison with the casinos. In addition, (the) casinos probably employ more people. HSJ HWANG
These comments were first posted on TODAY’s Facebook page. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length. If you have views on this issue or a news topic you care about, send a letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.