JURONG COUNTRY CLUB (Particulars)

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Finance if he will ascertain from the Jurong Town Corporation (i) the total cost of construction of the Jurong Country Club; (ii) the cost of maintaining the Club and whether the subscriptions from members are sufficient for its maintenance; (iii) the entrance fee and subscription for membership of the Club and the present number of members; and (iv) whether membership is open to the public or, if restricted, what are the conditions for membership.

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am given to understand that the total cost of developing the Jurong Country Club amounted to $2.917 million as at the end of 1975. Another $230,000 would be required to complete the development this year.

For the first seven months of operation from June 1 975. the cost of maintaining the Club, including depreciation on fixed assets, amounted to $410,000. When the second 9-hole course and other facilities are ready, the cost of maintenance is expected to increase to 5520.000 per year.

Entrance fee is $3,000 for ordinary members and $12,000 for corporate members. Subscription is $25 per, member per month. The Club now has 810 members.

Income from subscriptions, together with other sources of fund, such as green fees, rental from practice range and rental of tennis courts and restaurants will be sufficient to cover the cost of maintenance when membership is increased further by 780 members. The Club, when completed with more facilities for members, should be able to break even in 1 977 and operate on its own steam thereafter. There would be no need for JTC to subsidise its operations.

Membership is open to all Singapore citizens. Preference is, however, given to applicants who reside and/or work in Jurong Town. Permanent residents and non-Singapore citizens will also be considered if they live and/or work in Jurong Town or in one of the industrial estates managed by the Jurong Town Corporation.

Mr Yeo Toon Chia: Sir, from tie reply given by the Minister, we can see that the entrance fee is rather high. Will the JTC consider reducing the entrance fee so that more people will be able to enjoy the facilities provided by the Jurong Country Club?

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Sir, I think the entrance fee has been fixed at a rate which would enable the Club to pay for itself as rapidly as possible. Of course, there is also the need to limit the number of members who use the facilities of the Club, otherwise every one will want to use its facilities.

Mr Yeo Toon Chia: Sir, I am not happy with the Minister's reply. It costs about $3 million to construct the Club. I think we should try to allow more people to enjoy the facilities of a good club. Instead of limiting it, it should open its membership to more people. No doubt income from entrance fees will be reduced, but with a larger membership the total collection of fees will equalise the figure and it can still maintain the Club house.

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Sir, I am not a golfer and I do not know the economics of running a golf course. But plain economics brings out the assumption that with an unlimited number of members the facilities will have to be shared by a greater number of people, and it is therefore very likely that instead of being able to play golf when you want to, you will have to play when you do not want to.