Rivervale’s first residents remember a different Sengkang. A quieter place. Rivervale wasn’t always the vibrant neighbourhood it is today. It was the first part of Sengkang New Town built. Many of the HDB flats were completed as early as 1997. Imagine the excitement. New homes in a brand new town.
Rivervale sits nestled between the Sungei Serangoon and Compassvale. Its public housing blocks have numbers beginning with ‘1’. This simple fact reveals a secret about Rivervale’s place in Sengkang’s history. It was the pioneer. The first chapter in Sengkang’s story. Rivervale paved the way for the town’s growth.
The early years saw the construction of Rivervale Plaza. Opened in mid-1999 it was Sengkang’s first shopping mall. A landmark. A symbol of progress. Soon Rivervale Mall followed. This private development added more shops and amenities. It opened in 2001.
More than just houses Rivervale boasts educational institutions. Rivervale Primary School stands tall. Children’s laughter echoes through its hallways. North Spring Primary School is there too. The area has secondary schools as well.
Places of worship dot the landscape. Chong Ghee Temple offers a place of quiet reflection. Kampong Tengah Thian Hou Keng stands as a testament to cultural heritage. Other temples and a church enrich Rivervale’s diverse spiritual life. The Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple adds to the diverse religious landscape.
Rivervale has grown. It’s no longer just homes and shops. The Rivervale Community Club opened in 2004. It moved to a new building in 2021. This impressive building is special. It’s built with Mass Engineered Timber. A first for community centres in Singapore. It’s a green building with a rooftop garden.
Rivervale is well-connected. Buses link it to the Sengkang MRT station. The Sengkang LRT’s east loop stops nearby at Rumbia Bakau and Kangkar stations. Residents enjoy easy access to the rest of Singapore.
Today Rivervale is a thriving community. Its story is one of growth and progress. It’s a testament to Singapore’s urban planning. It’s a story of a place that has transformed. From a new development into a vibrant and connected neighbourhood. Rivervale is more than just a name. It’s a place with a story to tell.