April 2023 Newsletter
The following articles are reproduced from the April 2023 Newsletter to members. Non-members may or may not be able to relate to the contents.
We’re Moving!
Sims Avenue Centre has served us well for the past 26 years—since 1997. Then we had around 50 members. Today we have more than 350 members. We have outgrown the premises and have to find a new one. On 6 April 2019, at our Extraordinary General Meeting we resolved to purchase a new property that is at INSPACE, a new development. We were supposed to take vacant possession of the new property on 31 March 2022. However, due to the pandemic, the project was delayed and the Temporary Occupation Permit was only given on 1 October 2022 and we only collected the keys on 19 October 2022 — a delay of more than six months.
We had to apply to various authorities for approval of the proposed renovation before we could outfit the unit. We were only able to commence renovation work on 18 February 2023. Outfitting is scheduled to be completed mid-April 2023. Barring any further delays, we are preparing to make our big move on 15 April 2023. This is a major exercise for us as we have to pack and unpack the contents of the entire lodge in the relocation. For this reason, the Lodge will be closed for the month of April 2023. Library books due in April will be automatically extended by one month. We hope to welcome you for the first Lodge meeting at the new premises on 6 May 2023.
INSPACE
INSPACE is not far from Sims Avenue Centre, as a matter of fact it is only 3.8 km away. It is a prime strata-titled freehold B1 space. It is an 8 storey building and has 84 units, referred to as suites. Three separate lifts cater for passengers and two service lifts for loading and unloading. The ramp up allows vehicles to drive up to every unit. The building is complete with recreational facilities and social amenities and is designed to cater for a variety of tenants including software developers, e-commerce business, and publishers.
A key feature of the units is the ceiling height of 6.3m and the provision of a mezzanine floor, itself with ceiling height of 3m allowing space to be optimized.
A thoughtfully crafted landscape and architecturally customised Courtyard are incorporated to provide recreational facilities for tenants. Features of the Courtyard are:
25m Lap Pool
Pool Deck
Outdoor Fitness Corner
Recharge Pod
Wellness Pavilion
Chill Out Pavilion
Grill & Dine Canopy
Grill &
Dine Canopy (BBQ)
The last three are available through a booking system.
Grill & Dine Canopy
25m Lap Pool
The aesthetics of the building is enhanced with the incorporation of greenery on the lower 4 storeys and gardens outside two units, one of which is ours, hence, the Garden Suite.
Sky terraces, arrow points to our unit
The two Garden Suites, ours on top
Although all the units have received Temporary Occupation Permit, the building itself is still not complete. The Courtyard is not ready yet, as are some common areas Hence, artist renderings are shown here.
What to expect in our new premises
Auditorium with 4m screen
Extended seating capacity
Relay TVs
Larger Library
Larger Bookshop
Lounge Area
Self-contained Pantry
Ensuite Toilets
Publishing Warehouse
Getting there by bus:
The nearest bus stops are:
62019 aft Rochdale Rd
22, 24, 43, 58, 58A, 62, 62A, 70, 70A, 70M, 76, 80, 80A
Est. distance 550 m 6 min walk
62011 aft Bartley Rd
22, 24, 43, 58, 62, 70, 70M, 76, 80
Est. distance 650 m 8 min walk using overhead bridge crossing
70301 aft Paya Lebar St
22, 24, 28, 43, 58, 62, 70, 70M, 76, 80, 93, 158
Est. distance 700 m 9 min walk using traffic light crossing
Getting there by train
The nearest MRT stops are:
Bartley MRT Station CC12
Circle line
Est. distance 1.2 km 16 min walk
Tai Seng MRT Station CC11
Circle line
Est. distance 1.2 km 17 min walk
Getting there by car
PIE exit Paya Lebar Road
KPE (from city) exit Upp. Paya Lebar Road
Car Park
No public parking in the building
URA lots along New Industrial Road
Lodge Reopening
Our Lodge will be closed in the month of April 2023 for the relocation. We will resume our Lodge meetings on 6 May 2023 when we have the soft opening of our new premises.