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House & Grounds Committee
Reported by: MR WU CHEE YIUN Chairman
INTRODUCTION
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2020 had been an extraordinary year for the House & Grounds Committee. With the impact of COVID-19 pandemic affecting all of us and on the Club’s operations in so many ways, the Committee worked very closely with the various Standing Committees and the Club Management to ensure that the Club is well-kept and maintained, clean, safe and secure. Extra precautionary measures were carried out to ensure that the Club was properly set up to comply with the Multi-Ministry Taskforce's guidelines on safe management and safe distancing measures to prevent the spread of the dreaded pandemic. These measures were put in place and ready before the Club reopened for members' safe return after it was closed for two and a half months from 7 April to 18 June 2020 during the circuit breaker.
During the closure, only limited manpower and essential service staff were allowed in the Club. The Committee gave its fullest support to the Club Property Management team to ensure that the upkeep of the Club facilities was administered effectively and efficiently, without compromising on the quality and standard for members’ enjoyment when the Club resumed its operation from 19 June 2020.
With the increase in number of infected COVID-19 cases in Singapore during the early 2020, the Club Property Management team stepped up the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of the facilities, placement of hand sanitisers at different locations, implementation of compulsory screening stations at various entrances. To comply with the government's guidelines, safe distancing measures were also enforced at the Club.
On project management, with the Club’s Vision 2030 objectives to encourage more families to visit the Club, part of the Arrival Pavilion Lobby was converted to a café. Renovation works for this project commenced at the end of Q4 2019 and the cafe was officially opened on 1 February 2020. This new concept café at Arrival Pavilion provided a much-needed space for our members, their families and friends. It also proved to be a popular place for many members and in particular our younger members who enjoyed the co-working area and the new F&B offerings of specialty coffee, latte and pastries.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
1) General Repair and Maintenance Works on Existing Facilities and Services in the Club
The following repair, maintenance and improvement works were carried out in the year: a) Repair and improvement works were carried out at the Fun Pool to stop the water leakage that occurred among the artificial rocks and at the same time, minor works were done to improve the safety of the artificial rock feature. The works were carried out on 3 to 10 February and 2 to 11 March 2020 respectively. The Club Property Management team wrote to PUB to request for reduction of water charges and a 50% leakage concession was granted based on the assessed leakage volume.
b) Upgraded the computer for both carpark barrier system and Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) phone system with the latest window operating system.
c) Installed garden shed for Urban Gardening corner.
d) Installed 120 sets of barricades at Sports Complex poolside for safe distancing and safe management measures.
e) Rectified spalling concrete at Arrival Pavilion Carpark Basement 2 and Filtration Pump Room A.
f) Replacement of the sand filters and pumps at the Beginners' Pool.
g) Repair and replacement of the following equipment due to wear and tear, and to improve operational efficiency and safety: •Underwater spotlights for Fun Pool •Water heaters for shower rooms in Sports Complex Changing Rooms •Toilet amenities for all toilets and changing rooms •Synthetic rubber mats of the Kids' Playground •Booster pump and pressure vessel for Arrival Pavilion
2) Award of Major Contract – Cleaning Services
Chye Thiam Maintenance has been our long-standing cleaning service provider and their performances were reliable and had good track records. However, to ensure a competitive pricing, the Committee invited a few other cleaning service providers to quote but the quotations received were higher than the current one. As such, the contract was renewed with the existing company for another three years with effect from January 2021.
Installed 120 sets of barricades at Sports Complex poolside for safe distancing and safe management measures
LOOKING AHEAD
The House & Grounds Committee is always mindful of the rising cost of maintenance. It will work closely with the Club Management to ensure that the upkeep of the Club facilities, safety, security and aesthetics are managed cost effectively and efficiently without compromising the quality and standard of the Club facilities for members' enjoyment. Besides this, the Committee is also constantly looking into developing and improving our sports and recreation facilities to fulfil the needs of members as well as the Club’s vision as a premier Club in Singapore.
The COVID-19 pandemic had brought unprecedented challenges not only to the Club’s finances but also its operations. Therefore, the House & Grounds Committee would like to express its gratitude to the Management Committee, Standing Committees, the Management and staff for their efforts and commitment in confronting and addressing the challenges in this extraordinary year.
The House & Grounds Committee would like to recognise the contributions and invaluable services of our late Committee member, Mr William Tay who had passed on peacefully during his term.
