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ROOMS WITH A VIEW?: The Singapore Recreation Club, strategically located in the city and along the F1 race route, plans to build 35 guest rooms on its third floor. -- ST PHOTO: ALBERT SIM
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FIREWORKS are in store at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Singapore Recreation Club (SRC) on Saturday.
The proposal to build 35 guest rooms on its Padang clubhouse's third floor to generate more revenue is facing strong opposition from some members.
Led by Mr R.V. Nathan, their gripe is that the rooms, which will likely be open to the public, could create security issues and result in the historic club losing its character.
The matter will be up for debate at the AGM and must be approved by a majority vote.
'Having the guest rooms will mean any Tom, Dick or Harry can just walk into our club,' said Mr Nathan, an assistant security manager. He claims to have the support of at least 200 other members.
A member of the club for 36 years, Mr Nathan will also contest the vice-president's post at the AGM against incumbent Francis Koh.
Mr Nathan, 58, said: 'The main objective of the club is to promote sports, recreation and social activities. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say we should be a hotel.'
His views were echoed by retiree Wong Siew Meng, a member for over 30 years.
The 76-year- old said: 'If anybody can just walk in and out, it'll downgrade our club and make it more like a community centre rather than a clubhouse.'
The idea of having up to 35 guest rooms was mooted by SRC president Johnny Goh a few months ago. The 5,500 members were told of this in the February issue of the club's monthly newsletter.
The rooms are estimated to generate $2 million in revenue annually and cost up to $7 million to build.
They will help the strategically located 125- year-old club ride on the current tourism boom, fuelled by mega events such as the Formula One race. SRC is near the financial district and along the F1's Marina Bay street circuit.
The rooms are scheduled to be completed by next year's race in September, if members and then the authorities give the go-ahead for them to be built.
Another member against the idea is retiree Peter Lim, 71. He said: 'What should happen is a constitutional amendment, which requires a two- thirds majority, before we can proceed on this.'
When told of the vocal opposition, Dr Goh, 69, replied: 'We'll let the members decide. We have the club's best interests in mind.'
Saying that a constitutional amendment would not be needed, he cited a similar vote 15 years ago, held to approve the $65 million rebuilding of the clubhouse.
limze@sph.com.sg
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