Bid to oust SRC management committee over 2nd fund-raiser in two years

12-member group to run against committee in upcoming polls to halt fund-raiser for 16.6m facelift

- Isabelle Liew

A group of 12 Singapore Recreation Club (SRC) members are planning to run against the incumbent management committee in an upcoming election, in a bid to halt the club's second fund-raising call in two years.

In a statement to The Straits Times on April 18, the group named One-SRC said that, if elected, they will suspend the implementation of the club's $16.6 million transformation plan and the requirement that each member pay a $3,000 fee.

The club's management committee had proposed the facelift at a town hall in February, which included a revamp of the 28-year-old building's facade, new lounges and a co-working space, among other upgrading initiatives.

To fund the upgrading, it suggested that each ordinary, lady and corporate member with transferable memberships pay a $3,000 fee. It will dip into its reserves to top up the remaining amount.

As at December 2023, there were about 4,700 such members.

This was passed after members voted in favour of the plans over a three-day period from March 24 to 26, with 56.9 per cent of the 1,451 members that voted electing to pay the fee.

Some 43 per cent, or 618 members, voted against it.

The latest appeal for funds comes two years after each member paid $2,500 - for a total of $11.48 million to defray a sum of $17.7 million to the Singapore Land Authority to renew its lease at the Padang till 2052. The remaining $6.23 million came from the club's reserves.

Business owner Steven Ong, 68, who initiated the formation of the group, said he intends to run for president to protest against the "wrongdoings" of the current committee.