Abu Dhabi: When Hamish F. Macdonald reached Abu Dhabi in 1986 and tried for membership at the oldest social club in the capital, The Club, he was put on a long waiting list.
“People had no choice but to wait because [then] there were not many other similar facilities. I joined a marine club [that was closed down later] until I got the membership at The Club,” Macdonald, 62, a British national who has been the honorary chairman of the club for 14 years, told Gulf News.
The 55-year-old club’s growth from its capacity to host 3,000 members in the past to 4,500 members at present reflects the growth of Abu Dhabi as well.
“Now Abu Dhabi residents have a large number of options to enjoy the facilities of a social club. That’s why we don’t have a waiting list [for membership] at the moment but a few vacancies,” the honorary chairman said.
The Club, a private members’ club and not-for-profit organisation in Al Mina area in the city, had more than 33,000 members during the past 55 years. Most of the members are expatriates from the West, who stay in the UAE for an average two to three years only, Macdonald said. Around 70 members have completed 30 years as members and got the privilege of honorary membership.
As established by British expatriates in 1962, it was popularly known as the British Club. “We are grateful that the Late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan donated the land for the club,” the chairman said.
Although the members of different nationalities started joining and the club now boasts a diversity of 84 nationalities among the members, still the British constitute the largest single group. Around 50 per cent of the members are British and the rest of them are people from 83 nations across the world, Macdonald said.
When The Club celebrated its golden jubilee in 2012, even the founding members themselves were unable to recall the exact date of its formation in 1962. “So, fittingly, we have decided that a full yearlong celebration in 2012 is appropriate,” according to a press note issued during the celebrations.
Some of the founders had flown from different parts of the world to attend the 50th anniversary gala reception. Edna Green, a British woman who was a co-founder in 1962, flew in from London along with her husband to share their experience of the 1960s.
In the initial days, the club was the only refuge for male British expatriates to beat their loneliness, she had told Gulf News at the event.
“We housewives used to cook the food at home and bring it for them to the club,” she had said.
The Club
- 55 years of existence
- 33,000 members in 55 years
- 4,500 current members
- 84 nationalities among members
- Around 70 honorary members who have completed 30 years of membership
Ceiling on membership to avoid crowding in facilities
Of The Club’s 4,500 members, around 3,250 are adult members and the rest are junior members [family members of the adult members].
The Club has put a ceiling on membership up to 4,500 to avoid crowding in its facilities, said Hamish F. Macdonald, the honorary chairman.
Its library has around 14,000 books. During this summer holiday season, most of the readers are indulging in travel books, probably to plan their holidays. “Lonely Planet (travel guide) is the favourite among readers,” the chairman said.
The Club frequently organises beach parties with the theme of a particular culture, he said. They offer the members a glimpse of various cultures across the world. One day, the theme may be an Asian culture like Indian or Sri Lankan, the other day any other culture from other part of the world. The staff and members arrange food, music and cultural activities representing that particular culture at the beach parties, Macdonald explained.
The bars and restaurants on The Club’s premises offer a wide variety of styles and tastes. The members have the opportunity to participate in more than 50 different sports and other activities, ranging from exercising in the state-of-the-art health complex, to sailing, diving and swimming in the 25-metre pool or the private beach. Other activities include playing tennis, squash, badminton, football, snooker, hockey, netball etc.
For junior members, there is an extensive junior programme of activities, including sailing, swimming, ballet, street dance, musical theatre, karate, tennis, football and so on. The Club is home to Abu Dhabi’s first teen-only gym, Studio Two.
For more information, visit: https://www.the-club.com
