DUBAI // Jumeirah Islands residents cheered the opening of their long-delayed clubhouse this month and looked forward to using its gym and pool. But some of the cheers turned to groans when they were told of the annual membership fees, which are set between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000.
"I think they have overcharged," said Preyesh Barar, a 40-year-old from India. "A lot of people we know may not become members. It's a pity. We've been waiting for two or three years."
He added: "A clubhouse membership should be more reasonable. It should be more for people to let them feel they belong."
The delay and fee compounded grievances over which some residents have been at odds with Nakheel, the community's developer, for years.
Other points of contention include what residents say are exorbitant service charges and poor maintenance of the artificial lake that makes up three-quarters of the development and encircles its 700-plus villas.
Residents of the community of four and five-bedroom villas that typically rent for between Dh250,000 and Dh400,000 a year also complained that clubhouse memberships, which became available on Feb 10, might be opened to non-residents, albeit at double the resident rate.
"One thing I didn't like: they are opening it up to non-residents," said an Islands property owner, who asked not to be named.
Like other residents, though, he said he liked the look and feel of the place.
"The swimming pool is nice, the gym is nice ... they've done a good job with the facility," he said.
The clubhouse, set at the back of Jumeirah Islands, also includes a restaurant, bar and outdoor lounge.
According to a July 2008 Nakheel press release, the clubhouse was scheduled to open at the end of that year. Some residents said they had expected it to open even sooner, and many had pressed Nakheel officials on the timing.
"After five years we have a club," said Costas Frangoudes, who moved to Jumeirah Islands in 2005. "We want it to work because we put in a lot of effort to have this club. It's a nice concept."
The rates for residents are Dh5,000 for an individual, Dh7,000 for a family with two children under the age of 18 and Dh10,000 for a family with four children.
Nakheel said charging residents to use the gym and pool was necessary to pay for their upkeep. "In order to maintain the club and its facilities, a membership fee must be applicable," a spokesman said. Non-residents will be allowed to join the club only if Nakheel does not reach its "membership target" through residents, the developer said. It did not specify how many residential members would satisfy the quota.
However, a receptionist who was staffing a phone line dedicated to membership inquiries said that while residents have priority concerning clubhouse memberships, non-residents are also allowed to join.
Some Jumeirah Islands residents supported Nakheel's decision, saying the higher rate for non-residents would likely deter some from joining.
"We are happy they are charging a fee. Otherwise we get too many riffraff coming in," said Marinella Isaac, a 43-year-old housewife from Italy.
Ms Issac processed her membership as soon as the forms became available. "I just find it so convenient to be a member,"she said. "It's so close, and they've got lovely equipment. The trainer is quite wonderful. We're very happy."
Other residents remained unhappy about the clubhouse. "I'm not signing up - no way," said one resident who requested anonymity. He said he exercises at a different health club a few miles away for half the price.
chuang@thenational.ae
