The newly refreshed Pek Kio Market & Food Centre is only the first of many improvements ahead at Farrer Park
At the market’s official reopening, Moulmein-Cairnhill Grassroots Adviser Mr Alvin Tan spoke about the exciting changes coming to its surrounding neighbourhood. Let’s learn more!
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The new year is a time for shiny new things. This year, Farrer Park residents can welcome 2025 with a gleaming, newly refurbished Pek Kio Market & Food Centre.
The Repair & Redecoration (R&R) work took only about one month, from 18 Nov to 17 Dec 2024, but quite a lot was done.
At the market’s official reopening on 4 January 2025, Moulmein-Cairnhill Grassroots Adviser Mr Alvin Tan gave a summary of the various upgrades that have been made.
New Year, New Market!
On the exterior, brightly-coloured signs bearing the market’s name were installed – their design inspired by “Pek Kio”, which means “white bridge”. The heritage panels narrating the history of the market have also been replaced; and the market’s external corridors got new tiles along with brand-new benches.
The dining area roof, pillars, beams, table legs and chair legs were freshly repainted. The wall fans were replaced and brighter, energy-efficient LEDs were installed in place of the old overhead lights. Wheelchair-friendly tables are now in dark blue to differentiate them more clearly. A new tray return point has also been built with bird-deterring features.
One hawker we spoke to particularly liked the gleaming new fittings and tiles in the toilets: blue for the Gents’ and pink for the Ladies’.
Not visible but no less important, the sewer lines had been reconstructed for improved drainage and the hawker stalls’ exhaust systems, gas pipes and fixtures were replaced.
Overall, the stallholders and patrons were happy with the brighter, cleaner environment at the market. They were also very impressed that Mr Alvin Tan and his team completed the renovations in such a short time.
More Improvements on the Way
Beyond the market, Mr Alvin Tan also told attendees about more improvements coming to the surrounding neighbourhood.
The most immediate one was the opening of the new Pek Kio Park on 18 January 2025. This would be swiftly followed by a new covered linkway across Owen Road that would provide weather-proof access between Pek Kio Market and the residential blocks at Kent Ridge.
Further down the line, two BTO developments: Farrer Park Fields and Farrer Park Arena will bring new residents and fresh vitality to the estate. The new blocks will come with new amenities including a supermarket, eating house, retail shops and two childcare centres.
As an avid sportsman himself, Mr Alvin Tan elaborated that the new developments will preserve and celebrate the area’s rich heritage and long sporting history. The refreshed estate will have a wide array of sports and recreational facilities such as a multi-purpose playfield, a new swimming complex & gym, a new park and a running track.
The iconic old boxing gym will also be retained and integrated seamlessly.
This dynamic sports theme was applied to existing estates as well. A great example is at Farrer Park View. Each block has been repainted based on a sport associated with the area: tennis, boxing, swimming and football. On top of giving each block more character, the sports murals also help elderly residents remember which blocks they stay at.
We’d like to thank Mr Alvin Tan for his efforts to renovate Pek Kio Market and Food Centre, for officially reopening the market, and for sharing so many pieces of exciting news with us on the future of the neighbourhood.
We look forward to a brand-new look and energy at Farrer Park very soon!
