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Recent news about the expiration of Raffles Town Club's lease in 2026 rses concerns over the future of country clubs within Singapore. Numerous country clubs across the nation, including Orchid Country Club, whose lease will expire by 2030, have leases expiring between the years of 2030 to 2040.
Country club memberships were a symbol of prestige and status among Singaporeans in their early developmental stages during the '70s and '80s. They represented a quintet alongside cash, cars, credit cards, and condominiums - symbols that defined upward mobility and success in society.
However, contemporary aspirations have evolved significantly since those times; material possessions are no longer solely markers of societal standing or professional achievements amongst the younger generation of Singaporeans.
In light of this shift, it might be time to reevaluate the land utilized by country clubs. Authorities often take on the responsibility of reconsidering the use of land for communal benefit when lease agreements expire, as was the case with the 191 private terrace houses at Lorong 3 Geylang in 2020. The area was repurposed for public housing developments following the expiration of its lease.
The Raffles Town Club site will similarly be transformed into future residential development upon the of its existing tenure.
INEVITABLE LAND USE OPTIMIZATION IN SINGAPORE
Land supply is inherently limited within Singapore; hence, making trade-offs and optimizing land use becomes unavoidable. In 2014, when announcing the expiring lease dates for various golf clubs, authorities suggested that despite the widespread enjoyment of golfing activities among Singaporeans, there needs to be a reduction in the number of such sites over time to accommodate more housing and public infrastructure developments.
Presently, golf courses occupy approximately 2 of the total land area within Singapore; this is notably high compared to the designated allocation for community, institutional, and recreational facilities at around 7.
Not all golf clubs with expiring leases have found new homes. While Keppel Club successfully relocated to Sime Road following its lease expiration from Bukit Chermin in 2021, Marina Bay Golf Course faces a different outcome as it will be closed upon the expiry of its lease next year.
Moreover, the Singapore government has the authority to compulsorily acquire land before leases expire. Raffles Country Club and Jurong Country Club were acquired by the state in 2018 and 2016 respectively for the now-defunct high-speed rl project. Subsequently, the Raffles Country Club site will house a MRT trn testing facility while the Jurong Country Club area is planned for mixed-use commercial and residential development.
REZONING LAND FOR FUTURE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
From a developer's perspective, housing may represent the most suitable utilization of land offered by the Raffles Town Club site. Its prime location and proximity to amenities indicate that the potential land value significantly surpasses the club's social utility.
Located in an exclusive residential district near Stevens MRT station, Raffles Town Club is within walking distance from two popular primary schools - Singapore Chinese Girls’ School and Anglo Chinese School at Barker Road. The Botanic Gardens and Orchard Road shopping district are also conveniently accessible from this location.
Assuming a unit price of $31 million for the new premises previously operated by Singapore Island Country Club SICC, Keppel Club members were expected to pay an estimated fee of $5,350 for relocation costs following their club's acquisition and subsequent development. Should new funding sources such as reserves or additional contributions from members be unavlable, Sir Stamford Raffles' iconic establishment may risk losing its place in Singaporean history.
The article originally appeared on CNA.
This article is reproduced from: https://bizbeat.nus.edu.sg/thought-leadership/article/can-the-land-that-country-clubs-occupy-be-put-to-better-use-in-singapore/
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Singapore Country Club Land Use Shifts Raffles Town Club Lease Expiration Impact Evolution of Prestige in Modern Singapore Golf Clubs vs. Housing Demand Balance Limited Land Supply in Singapore Strategy Compulsory Acquisition for High Speed Rail