Tanglin Rugby Club will be opening its new sports facility in the Farrer Park area for free community use when the pitches are ready in early 2026. The club acquired the 15,016 square metre state land at the intersection of Cambridge Road, Norfolk Road, and Carlisle Road after winning the tender last year. According to the Singapore Land Authority website, the monthly rent is S$25,000.
New Sports Space At Former Cambridge Primary School Site
Construction is now underway at the site, which was previously the Cambridge Primary School, more than 20 years ago. When the project is completed, the area will include:
- One full-sized rugby pitch
- Three five-a-side football pitches
- A clubhouse open to the public
The Moulmein-Cairnhill division shared that it is working with Tanglin Rugby Club to make sure the public can use the pitch for community programmes on Saturday mornings. The division also plans to support rugby try-outs and volunteer coaching sessions with the club.
Club Says Community Access Is Important
Club president Toby Rakison said community use is a major part of their plan. He told CNA, “We are taking a piece of land away from the local people, so we have to ensure that … they get access to it.” He added, “They will definitely get it free of charge as our commitment to the community.”
Outside the free community slots, pitch bookings can be made online at “standard booking fees”, which will help maintain the grounds. Mr Rakison also said fees will be “reasonably priced” as the club is a not-for-profit organisation.
He said there is strong demand for sports spaces in Singapore, and the new pitches will support rugby, football, cricket and baseball. There is also “a little bit more space” for activities that could interest the wider community, including retirees.
Club’s Background And Plans For The New Facility
Tanglin Rugby Club, set up in 2005, serves about 2,000 people, including parents and alumni. The club used to operate at Turf City before it closed in 2023. The Farrer Park land was among the sites offered to affected tenants for relocation. SLA information states that the land must be used for sports facilities, including one full-sized rugby pitch, with limited space for retail or food and beverage.
The club secured a five-year lease with an additional four-year term. While Mr Rakison did not share funding details, he said the club was “fortunate enough to be in the position to have the resources” to secure the tender. The club is investing heavily to ensure good grass and turf for the pitches.
Mr Rakison noted that many rugby clubs lost members due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of Turf City, saying there was a “15 to 20 per cent reduction in members”. The new facility will allow the club to combine its junior and youth sessions, previously split between the Australian International School and Tanglin Trust School. Adult players, who often face limited playing spaces, will also benefit.
The club hopes to organise more tournaments and bring in international clubs, similar to what it did at Turf City. Mr Rakison said, “We are trying to make it the heart and soul of the rugby community in Singapore.”
More Sports Facilities Coming To Farrer Park
The Tanglin Rugby Club’s new pitches are among the upcoming sports developments in the area. There will be eight pickleball courts at the old Little India bus terminal, expected to open in early 2026. A new public housing project with about 1,600 flats will also include a jogging track and sports centre, with 20 per cent of the area reserved for sports and recreation.
Moulmein-Cairnhill said its collaboration with the club reflects residents’ requests for more convenient and accessible sports facilities. It shared that “the new facilities at Cambridge Road will give families and residents more options to stay active”.
