What CC facilities are under-utilised and could be closed? (chat version)

[DrBubb]

What CC facilities are under-utilised and coudl be closed?

Let's chat about this, and then start a Poll later

please suggest items that shoudl go into the Poll.

+ The indoor pool in front of Phases 2-4? (my partner thinks this should be closed)

Maybe after we have the list, we can find out how much can be saved.

If enough svaings can be generated, we may be able to start some new facilities.
What do we need:

+ More BBQ's?

These are only two ideas.  Let's have yours too !!

[Zorro]

Clubhouse:
Move the Gym to the car track;
Close the car track;
Close the indoor golf;
Fix the squash court;
Rent out the cafe so it is open all the time - rent it on a % of turnover if no one will pay a base rent;
Move Gym to car track area and increase size;

Increase number of BBQ
Put drink machines at both outdoor pools - do we get the revenue from the drink machines, if not why ont.

Bottom line is tbhe club facilites loose HK$13m per year. That is HK$30,000 per day. We can certainly reduce this loss with proper operations.

Also the place is massivly overstaffed...

[Icarus]

I would like to see it confirmed by numbers but from my experience I think the lame ducks are:

The Golf simulator
Bowling Alley
Childrens car & ski tracks.
Cafe Bar

The most popular are the pools, gym, squash, tennis and BBQ pits.

The Gym definitely needs moving and expanding. It currently has a maximum capacity of 25 for nearly 20,000 residents. The easiest move would be to the enclosed space currently housing the ski track. This would allow for better aircon and lighting which is awful at the moment. Increase the number of machines and put in a hygienic wooden floor. Also train a dedicated member of staff to ensure the machines are properly maintained. They should also consider leasing the gym equipment. This allows for regular updating without capital expenditure and comes with a maintenance package.

The current gym area could be used for the ski track but I think could be better utilised as a lounge area and extension of the Cafe Bar.

The Cafe Bar is still closed for lack of a licence. Total incompetence again. I go with Zorro and look for a profit share of a business which could be far better than at present with a little imagination. I am not that bothered about profit more about a service which benefits us all. Licensed cafe/bistro might be nice like DB residents club but that's a pipe dream.

Can't comment on BBQ as I have never been able to book one as they are so popular!!

Reduce staff and change to two shift system so clubhouse can open earlier without the need for overtime. Raise prices by 25% (excluding Seniors and children) to reasonable market levels & reduce deficit. There also got to be huge energy savings by closing one of the indoor pools on a rota basis.

Try asking the residents what they want and would support by a questionnaire. The staff that lurk at the entrance with clipboards to stop the magazine thief could do something useful and do some market research. Then give them what they want, not what the developer or MO thinks you should have.

[BOB]

The 2 most heavily used facilities in the clubhouse are the gym and the Toddler Playroom - both of these facilities need major improvements.  Guys .. your ideas are valid - but no-one has thought about the little ones.

I agree that the ski track is a complete waste of time - but that room has been converted into a playroom which is open every day (except every 2nd weekend when the ski hill is open). The room is far from perfect as a playroom, but at the time it was allocated as that, it was the best they could do. The room is always full of kids - so obviously there is a demand for a room such as this.

There is no doubt that the gym is too small. I also think the bowling alley seems to be popular, especially in the weekends. The golf simulator doesn't .. and has never .. worked properly - which is probably why no-one uses it. The golf putting green is only ever used by kids who want to run around on it.

[Icarus]

Valid point. That's even more argument for a residents survey so nothing is forced upon people.

Is the cart track popular? Could that become a playroom?

[Gooner]

For me its the Gym .... it's way too small space and equipment wise.

If you look at Tung Chung Crescent, their gym is much bigger and we could come up with something on those lines. The ideal place to construct a gym phase 2/3 would be where the small kiddie play field is alongside the area before you turn down into the car park. It's a horizontal stretch parralel to the Swimming pool that can be used wisely. Or else, I can't think of a way of increasing the size of the gym coz there could be conflicts with renovating the current set up.

[BOB]

What's the deal with the area next to the playground Gooner is talking about ... apparently it was supposed to be a beach volleyball court - another brilliantly thought out plan by the genius who came up with these ideas - never occurred to him that a volleyball court next to a road isn't the best idea in the world - probably didn't even know what volleyball is - but it sounds great to potential buyers !!??

Wouldn't this area be ideal for some BBQ's - if the area was fenced to include the playground so people could enjoy their BBQ while the kids play??

The Japanese Spas look really impressive - but are hardly ever used.

[Gooner]

Bob - If I'm not mistaken, the BBQ area was supposed to be on the portion after the turn down to carpark towards the end. I'm not sure if that the Japanese Spa you're referring to.

[BOB]

The Japanese Spas are next to the Phase 1 indoor pool, by the beauty salon - maybe that's why no-one uses them - does anyone even know they're there !!!?  They look very nice but there's no-one ever in them.

[DrBubb]

MY BIG IDEA -
To use the savings generated from the cutback(s) to pay for (part of) the tiling job.

If we can get Cheung Kong (and maybe the MTR) to pay part, then maybe swe can pay part too, and get the job done.

 ==

The Japanese baths are very nice, and I recommend people try them, especially when it is colder.

[Zorro]

Dr.Bubb.

We mjst not agree to pay any of the tiling. We claim it from the developer and put him on notice to fix. If he does not we then fixit and claim it back from him in court. In the end it will most likley be the insurance company of the sub contractor that pays for it. We have to take a positive and agressive stance or we will get no where mate.

[Zorro]

Sand pit? What can we make sand castles in them like at the beach? Are they for children etc?

[Muttley]

This is called a Baghdad bath. Very popular with the Iraqis for entertaining foreign "guests". Not so clever when dogs are wandering about & it gets a bit boring after a couple of days.
Do we have a "waterboarding" room as well?

[britchik]

like the Japanese spa, you couldn't possibly call that thing a cafe, no chance of a nice coffee shop or dare i say it - wine bar?!! Might not be the best place to have one but at least you could chill out while kids are playing and actually keep an eye on them 

[Dizzy Kipper]

Why are the lights on at the barbeque area when there is no one there and when there will not be anyone there (e.g. heavy rainfall)? Seems to be a waste of electricity and money.