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Sep 22, 2007

Golf clubs get nod to build hotels on their premises

By Leonard Lim

GOLF clubs here are set play a significant role in helping with the Republic's hotel room crunch.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has, for the first time, permitted golf clubs to build hotels on their premises.

At least two clubs - Jurong Country Club (JCC) and Laguna National Golf and Country Club - have received approval. Jurong is keen to build a 300-room hotel, while Laguna is looking at a 200-room facility.

The clubs' targeted opening dates in 2010 will also leave them well-placed to cash in on the tourism boom that the Integrated Resorts are expected to herald.

Said Singapore Tourism Board (STB) director of travel and hospitality business Caroline Leong: 'They would undoubtedly add more hotel rooms into the market, easing the current room crunch.

'A number of clubs have approached the STB with their proposals, and we are assisting them where we can.'

With Singapore in the midst of a tourism boom - July's 951,000 arrivals was a record - there is concern that the current 37,000 rooms throughout the island will soon be insufficient.

Early forecasts for next year suggest even more visitors are expected, with Changi Airport's Terminal 3 opening its doors in January, and new attractions like the Formula 1 (F1) race and the Singapore Flyer.

The F1 race alone is anticipated to attract about 80,000 spectators, a significant proportion of whom are expected to be overseas visitors.

Golf clubs were only permitted to have chalets and guesthouses on their land previously, but earlier this year, a few clubs began to seek permission to build hotels.

Two months, ago, the URA gave its go-ahead.

But there are restrictions: Hotel space is restricted to 30 per cent of the club's total gross floor area or 10,000 sq m, whichever is lower.

Some country clubs are also seeking to jump on the bandwagon.

The Legends Fort Canning Park is understood to be giving the idea serious thought.

Laguna president Peter Kwee, who also owns The Pines, declined to comment on whether he had similar plans for the Stevens Road club.

But a source told The Straits Times that one option being studied is a seven-star hotel, with possible support from the Government.

JCC president and former MP Tan Cheng Bock was one of the first to push for the building of hotels on golf clubs.

'I realised JCC's greatest asset was land, and set about thinking of how to transform it into something viable,' said Dr Tan. 'I hope the hotel will set the tone for Jurong's redevelopment in the years to come, and the neighbourhood won't be viewed as a sleepy hollow any longer.'

The URA's new guidelines also permit clubs with existing chalets or guesthouses to re-configure them to hotel rooms, again subject to the 30 per cent or 10,000 sq m cap.

Laguna and Orchid Country Club are the only other golf clubs with accommodation options currently on their land. An Orchid spokesman said the club had no plans to build a new facility or expand the existing one.

limze@sph.com.sg