THE Legends Fort Canning Park has closed for renovations from today but unhappy members are still fighting to have their voice heard about the town club’s renovation plans.
Six club members met with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) yesterday in a closed door meeting to “understand what has been approved by the URA because what we know from the management is very unclear.”
One member, Mr Joe Nguyen, told Today that he understands from the URA that the club is required to allocate at least 50 per cent of its facilities for members’ exclusive use.
But as the public is allowed to book the ballrooms and function rooms, and access club facilities like the spa, some members feel that “what we currently use is lesser than 50 per cent”, he added.
According to another club member, Mr Jason Tay, the URA said that members could inform the authority if they feel that there has been a “breach” so that the matter could be investigated.
When asked how much of the club’s facilities are for members’ exclusive use, Ms Amy Cheong, director of Marketing of The Legends Fort Canning Park, said the club will follow the URA guideline in its renovation plans.
The Legends Fort Canning Park is closed for six months to convert the club into a luxury boutique hotel. The club, which has 1,200 members, will be housed in a glass block built on the space that the present tennis court occupies.
The vocal objections by members will not affect the schedule for the renovations although “we will take members’ feedback into account”, said Ms Cheong.
Last night at the club premises, over 30 members signed a petition relating to the renovation plan that would be sent to the URA and Singapore Heritage Society.
“We have no idea what the petition can do but the only thing we can do is try,” said Mr Nguyen, who started a blog for members to discuss the club’s renovation plans.
The members also had a heated discussion with the club’s general manager, Mr Herbert Hofer, about the renovation plans.
Mr Tay said: “I have other club memberships but I like the structure and people of this club … I’ll feel a sense of loss that I can’t come here for six months.”
Source : Today – 16 Oct 2008