Consider this: a pineapple estate. It was 1909. A Chinese merchant named Seah Eng Keong discovered hot springs right here at Sembawang Hot Spring Park.
Let’s explore the story of Sembawang Hot Spring Park. It is a place where nature’s warmth meets human history. This park has a unique charm. It offers visitors a rustic feel. People come to unwind. They escape the hustle of Singapore.
Seah channelled three springs into one. This made the water easily accessible. A well was built beside the spring. Villagers believed in its healing powers. News spread quickly. The village became known as Kampong Ayer Panas. That means Village of Hot Water in Malay.
In 1922, Fraser and Neave saw potential. The soft drinks firm acquired the site. They set up a bottling plant nearby. It was named Semangat Ayer. They bottled the mineral water. It was sold under the brand Seletaris.
During World War II, a bomb disrupted the spring’s flow. It fell nearby during a Japanese air raid in 1942. The Imperial Japanese Army seized the area. They converted it into recreational thermal baths. These were like onsen.
Gamblers frequented the hot spring in 1960. They took good luck baths before horse races. Villagers wanted the authorities to develop the area. They envisioned a spa-like tourist resort. Geologists couldn’t trace the water’s source. F&N shelved the idea.
The spa proposal resurfaced in 1967. F&N proposed plans. They wanted a bathhouse, restaurants, a mini golf course, and a nature reserve. These plans never materialized. The hot spring remained untouched. It was almost forgotten.
Local geologists still don’t know the exact source of the spring. They believe it may originate southwest. Perhaps it’s near Bukit Timah. Hot springs form when underground water meets hot rock. High pressure forces the water up. It seeps through cracks. Finally, it emerges as a spring.
Tests revealed the spring water contains 420 mg of chloride per liter. This is higher than tap water. The sulphide content is three times greater. The water is slightly alkaline. This is due to the presence of minerals. Some believe natural spring waters have health benefits. They compare it to hot springs near volcanoes. People seek cures for skin conditions. They also hope for relief from rheumatism and arthritis. However, rheumatologists and dermatologists are skeptical. They question these claims.
The spring water’s temperature is a constant 70 degrees Celsius. That is 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
In 1998, the Ministry of Defence acquired the land. This was for the expansion of Sembawang Air Base. F&N was left with less than 4 hectares. The water-bottling plant survived until the early 1990s.
Local interest in the hot spring grew in 2002. The surrounding land was cleared. This was for the air base extension. Community leaders petitioned Mindef. They wanted the hot spring preserved. Mindef agreed. They opened a small gate for public access.
Several scalding cases occurred that year. A senior citizen lost six toes to gangrene. This was after soaking in the hot spring. The Singapore General Hospital issued a warning. People with nerve disorders should be cautious. Public interest waned due to these incidents.
At its peak, 300 people visited daily. The area was upgraded in 2002. The dirt track was paved. Bougainvillea bushes were planted. High fences were erected. This ensured the air base’s security. Mindef allows free public access from 7 am to 7 pm.
Sembawang Hot Spring was redeveloped. It became a 1.1-hectare park. It reopened on January 4, 2020.
Today, Sembawang Hot Spring Park is a revitalized space. It honors its past. It provides a tranquil retreat. Visitors can enjoy the therapeutic waters. They can connect with nature. They experience a unique piece of Singapore’s history.