NUSS’ Bukit Timah Guild House to close in March

SINGAPORE — The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) will cease operations at its Bukit Timah Guild House in March next year, after the National Parks Board (NParks) said it will not be renewing its lease.

The two-storey restored colonial bungalow at Cluny Road will be taken back and become part of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the garden’s group director Nigel Taylor told TODAY.

Asked about future plans for the site, Dr Taylor would only say they would share the details when they are ready.

The NUSS management committee said the development was not “unexpected” and in July, they formed a taskforce to explore other possible facilities for its 15,000 members.

A spokesperson said the taskforce is still looking into the matter and will share details once specific plans are firmed up.

In a notice on its website, NUSS said the management was looking at incorporating some of the popular offerings from the Bukit Timah Guild House’s restaurant The Dunearn at its bistro at its Suntec City clubhouse.

“We would like to express our gratitude to all the members for their invaluable support of Bukit Timah Guild House over the years,” said the NUSS management.

The Bukit Timah Guild House, which also has a jackpot room, cards and games room, and lounge, was officially launched in 2009 and is one of three clubhouses of the NUSS, a graduates-only club. The others are at Kent Ridge and Suntec City.

Retiree Conrad Raj, 69, who has been an NUSS member for more than 30 years and frequented the Bukit Timah Guild House weekly, expressed his unhappiness with the authorities’ decision.

“(This guild house) is a historical (site) ... It’s a place where people come and gather, people of good repute hang around here ... Frankly, NParks should just be leaving it alone, and let the guild house carry on here,” he said.