I am going to respond to
the awful letter by Herbert last week. I have been on vacation with the family since it is school holidays and did not want to ruin it by thinking too much about it. But vacation is over... Time to rip the letter apart.
"Several members voiced their opposition and took it to the URA and the Press. As a result, we have to make some changes to our original plan and we hope to receive final approval from URA by May this year."1) The "
original plan" was to make members share the gym and other facilities in the glass building with hotel guests and probably the public. Let's not lose focus on the issue here, shall we?
2) "
some changes" - So we are blamed for these changes. What are these changes? If you all recall from
the Sunday Times article on October 19 last year, here's a direct quote: "
Some members also took issue with the fact that hotel guests would have access to facilities in the members' new glass building... When contacted, Mr Oh called this 'a mistake' and said the management had since come to an agreement on Thursday that all facilities in the new members' block would be exclusive to members and their guests."
Blame US for calling the Management out on their MISTAKE!?!?!?!
BLAME YOURSELVES for making the "
mistake". Even the newspaper put the quotes around the '
mistake'.
3) "
receive final approval from URA in May..." - we have been asking Herbert regularly for the last few months on the status of the glass building since no work has been done. Herbert has been telling us that as far as he knew there were no delays - until March
when we pushed further.
NOW he is saying that they had to submit some kind of approval to URA. This would have been submitted back in November last year some time. And he would have known back then that things would be delayed. But are waiting until now to tell us all?????????
"
In addition, the Banks that we have been talking to are very worried about the situation with the members. They do not want to be entangled in potential problems between owner and members."
1) "
the Banks" would have already approved the loan before any work was started. Are they saying that the "banks" are holding back money from them? No, they are not saying that. They just want to throw some blame around. If the "banks" already released the money for the renovation, where is the money right now? That's what the "banks" should be worried about.
2) "
situation with the members" - Ok.. if they are worried, what is Management and Owner doing about the relation with members? We have not had any communication from the club until this month (except for the monthly billing for "Members with Golfing Privileges" and some spam mail).
Have they engaged any of us at all? We are loyal members and care about the Club, which is why we speak up. We can help change public opinion, bring new members in, and bring in cash to the owners - IF they reach out to us with a carrot and not with a STICK (which Herbert's letter is).
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The letter from Herbert is a PR fiasco. Everyone knows it contains lots of verbal diarrhea. They are making themselves look worst and loosing whatever shred of credibility they have left with members.
If Management is actually concerned about the Banks and the situation, then HOLD ANOTHER MEMBERS MEETING and:
- Treat members as partners who can help you.
- Tell us what the plans you have changed are.
- Be open and transparent.
They are still holding weddings and events there. There was a wedding in the ball room when I was there. Looks like Legends Fort Canning is now solely used for events and catering.
The tennis court is still there and nothing has changed. The net is still up, though it could use a bit of tightening and the court could do with some sweeping....
The pools have seen better days. The water is green instead of blue and there are leaves everywhere inside. I would not go swimming there though I think there are probably things living in there.
The inside - where the old Cafe was - is still what it was when I last photographed.
The only real change is the little foyer next to the main entrance from the tent. The club did it up nicely for those people who are using the tent for events.
View from the main car entrance as you drive up.
Stuff out there, but it does not seem that much is being done in the last few months.
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