Hougang resident driven batty by noisy ping pong games on 2 tables hogging void deck
Once a common sight in Housing Board void decks, it is something you don't see as much any more.
So for table tennis enthusiasts, it is a rare treat to find not just one, but two ping pong tables in the void deck of Block 156 Hougang Street 11.
But for Stomper TT, who lives on the second story of the block, the noisy games, thanks to the tables, are driving her batty.
"I moved in a couple of months ago to this block in Hougang and living on level two is a pain point with excessive noises during the daily games," said the Stomper, who shared a video of people playing in the void deck to show the amount of noise created.
But she told Stomp her concern is not just the noise.
"I see people coming over from all areas to have their games here. They would barricade the entire void deck area, which seriously caused a safety hazard during rainy days," said the resident. "My elderly dad had to get himself wet when he couldn't get shelter because of the barricade.
"The whole idea is they allowed two big tables and despite the timing displayed, people would still play."
The Stomper added that she had reported the issue to the town council.
In response to a Stomp query, a spokesperson for Aljunied-Hougang Town Council said: "The town council has been engaging both the feedback provider as well as the regular users of the table tennis facility at Block 156 Hougang Street 11.
"In our engagement with the users of the table tennis facility, the town council has advised the groups against putting up portable ball catch netting in a manner that obstructs the passageway for passers-by and to keep the noise level down considering that there are residents who work from home.
"The progress will be monitored and further steps will be taken if the situation warrants.
"We seek residents' understanding that the compact nature of housing estates in Singapore does not offer the luxury of space to isolate such recreational facilities from residential areas.
"Facilities - such as playgrounds, fitness corners, courts and residents' corners - that cater to residents' recreational needs are often in close proximity to residential units."
The town council added that it will do its utmost to find a balance in meeting residents' competing needs, educating facility users on considerate and responsible use of the amenities and to strictly observe rules such as the quiet hours between 10.30pm and 7.00am, so that recreational and communal activities do not unduly affect the daily living of residents in nearby units.
In 2022, a Facebook page called Free Play Table Tennis in Singapore posted photos of the ping pong tables at Block 156 Hougang Street 11.
