KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, Snowdan Lawan (pic) said that the building of the civic centre depends very much on the availability of funds and to build one is costly.
In response to a question an in depth research will be conducted to see the need of constructing a civic centre in Bintangor, in view of the growing population in the area.
“Presently there is a community hall in Bintangor which can accommodate about 600 people and can be used for any civic function.
“The estimated cost to build a civic centre ranges between RM1.4 million (Sri Aman) and RM20 million (Kuching). Of course, these were the costs last time.
“The cost would be calculated on a civic centre’s criteria which are the main hall, sports area, office administration blocks and facilities such as toilet and parking space,” said Snowdan.
He pointed this out during the Question & Answer (Q&A) session during the sState Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday when responding to a question made by State Assemblyman of Meradong, Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing.
Currently there are a total of 12 civic centres scattered in the state, which were built in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Addressing another enquiry made by Balingian rep, Abdul Yakub Haji Arbi who enquired whether more sports facilities will be developed in his constituency, Snowdan said that more facilities will be developed in Balingian, adding that Balingian is already enjoying a lot of sports facilities.
“Football field and futsal court in Kampung Masjid Balingian and Kampung Judan respectively are some of the sports facilities that have been developed in the constituency.
“Apart from that, I would also like to add that the state is organising a lot of programmes to incite youths’ interest in involving themselves in sports activities.
“This includes Sukan Sarawak (SUKSAR) that is open to 19 years old and below, Sarawak Cergas, ‘Sukan Rakyat’ in every district and so on,” said Snowdan.
Also, Snowdan said, programmes to develop youth and sports in the state will be developed based on the nine key areas of youth which includes education, leadership, volunteerism, healthy living and others.
