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CLUB FOR FAMILY
Indeed, for club members like Mr Windsor Chan, a family-oriented atmosphere has motivated them to hold onto their membership.
The 53-year-old has been a member of the Chinese Swimming Club since 1991, as well as a member of Raffles Town Club since it opened in 2000.
“I favour the CSC model because … basically, they have positioned themselves as a second home,” he said. “I can actually come to the club, use the co-working space and the cafes that we have down there to do work.”
The social club, which started in 1905 and currently has close to 9,000 principal members, announced on Monday (Nov 27) that it has successfully negotiated a 30-year lease renewal for its sports complex along Amber Road.
Mr Chan said he thought that the club had “done an excellent job reinventing themselves so they are fit for my purpose and my children”. Its co-working space opened early last year.
“Lately, I’m also very happy that they have also branched into corporate social responsibility – giving back to society,” Mr Chan added. His son Tedd, who swims competitively, was recently asked by the club to volunteer to teach some underprivileged children how to swim.
MEMBERSHIP PRICES
On the other hand, Mr Chan said he is trying to sell his Raffles Town Club membership but is not hopeful with prices dropping “like crazy”.
Memberships listed for sale on e-commerce platform Carousell currently range from as low as S$1,000 to S$8,000, while other Raffles Town Club members previously told CNA that memberships cost around S$25,000 to S$30,000 when it was first launched.
Prices at other clubs differ depending on the type of membership and club, as well as whether the club’s land lease is about to expire with any indication of whether it will be renewed.
The Business Times reported that membership at SRC is currently priced around S$8,500, while membership at Singapore Cricket Club costs S$22,500.
The more premier country clubs continue to command much higher fees. According to golf membership consultancy firm Singgolf, membership prices at such clubs hit a record high last year, with some saying this was largely driven by an influx of foreign money.
As of December last year, Singaporeans and permanent residents had to fork out an eye-watering S$500,000 to become a member of Sentosa Golf Club, while locals had to pay S$300,000 for an SICC membership.
Mr Tay told CNA’s Heart of the Matter podcast that both clubs can command such prices because their leases will not expire for another 17 years and they continue to attract an “elite community” who want to join for exclusivity.
“But how many in the population can afford this kind of high price?” he questioned. “Foreigners do play a big part in raising the prices these last few days at these golf country clubs.”
At the lower end, an individual membership at Orchid Country Club costs about S$30,000, while membership at Warren Golf and Country Club is priced around S$23,500. The leases for both clubs are due to expire in 2030.
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