Good evening,
I am glad that so many of you are here today to celebrate the official opening of NTUC Club’s latest outlet, the DXO!
NTUC Club’s mission is to raise the social standing of union members and their families. By providing lifestyle and leisure facilities at affordable prices, it aims to be socially inclusive. Workers should not feel excluded from the lifestyles that the elite and successful enjoy.
Club turns eighteen this year. It has done well. From a humble beginning of a single clubhouse in 1987, it is now the largest lifestyle and leisure provider in Singapore, with two resorts, seven club lounges, two world-class theme parks and a mega one-stop leisure destination, the popular Downtown East.
The opening of DXO today is a significant milestone. It marks the beginning of a new generation of clubs catering to the young and trendy. This is in response to the changing union membership profile which is getting younger and more educated.
I was told that there are skeptics among some of the young who could not believe that NTUC is capable of operating such a “cool and hip’’ club. Judging from the ambience of the club and the response so far, I am confident we can indeed provide a club to match the best in the industry. In fact, I was told that when Boy George performed here two weeks ago, the place was packed and the feedback from those who were here were very positive. But don’t take my word for it. Please come and take a look and decide for yourselves.
DXO is committed to be the best dance club targeting the young urbanites. It will learn and respond to the tastes and preferences of the young. It will continue to bring in class acts, celebrity DJs and artistes to make it one of the best dance clubs in Singapore.
The opening of DXO is just one of the many initiatives which NTUC Club is doing for its members. On this happy occasion of its grand opening, I am pleased to announce two other Club‘s initiatives, which members can look forward to.
New Resort at Palawan Beach Sentosa
Firstly, NTUC Club will be investing $45m to develop a 200-room resort at Palawan Beach in Sentosa. (As a comparison, Pasir Ris Resort was developed in 1988 at a cost of $36m).
The resort will be ready by early 2008. Conveniently located between Palawan Beach and Silosa Beach, it is a mere 5-minute walk from the Palawan Station of the new “Sentosa Express”. Other nearby facilities includes a variety of restaurants and recreational activities. When completed, it will be walking distance from the Integrated Resort, which is being planned for Sentosa.
Members can look forward to a fuss-free concept with guest centric design and high tech facilities in the proposed resort. In fact, guests can enjoy free broadband wireless throughout the resort. Each room will also boast of amenities like a plasma TV cum media centre entertainment. Guests can also look forward to an infinity pool and a spa.
The development of the Resort at Palawan Beach is timely. The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has in the last few years taken various initiatives to transform Sentosa into a mega tourism destination. This was recently given a boost with the announcement that one of the proposed Integrated Resorts will be in Sentosa. With a new and more vibrant Sentosa ahead, the new resort will give our members a chance to have a relaxing holiday at Sentosa at a very affordable price.
$1m Family Recreation Fund for workers
I am also happy to announce that Club is setting up a Family Recreation Fund for workers who may find it financially difficult to enjoy Club ‘s facilities.
Despite NTUC Club’s success in providing members with affordable lifestyle and leisure facilities and services, there is still a marginal group who cannot afford to spend on leisure as they have other pressing financial needs.
Recently, Club launched a series of extreme promotions at Downtown East, which include free admission to our facilities. An interesting observation was that some 60% of the visitors to the theme parks were first timers. Despite the good turn out, per cap spending in the park was lower than average. The conclusion is that the free admission attracted many Singaporeans who were very price sensitive and would not otherwise use these facilities.
The setting up of the Family Recreation Fund will help this group achieve a better work life balance. Club will be setting aside $1m annually for the next three years for this purpose. The fund will be managed by NTUC and the unions and will be distributed to these members so that they too can enjoy the facilities set up by the Club. More details of the Fund will be announced by NTUC.
This is not the first time that NTUC Club is using its internally generated funds to reach out to the lower income workers. In 2003, it contributed $1m to the Public Transport Assistance Scheme for children of families facing financial difficulties. If the need arises, Club will support and make further contributions to this assistance scheme.
On this happy note, I am pleased to declare DXO officially open.
Let the party begin….
Thank you.
