Players trying out the newly set up pickleball court at the PJ Sports Centre in Lorong Sultan, Petaling Jaya. The management also has plans to build a paddle ball court on the premises.
IN ITS heyday, Kelab Syabas in Lorong Sultan, Petaling Jaya, was a hive of activity, with swimming enthusiasts and families converging at the pool while diners thronged the restaurants and nightclubs surrounding it.
After its rebranding in 2011 to PJ Palms Sports Centre, it continued to attract a sizeable crowd and hosted businesses like swim and diving schools.
However, over the years, the centre began to show its age, with facilities looking rundown due to poor maintenance and other issues.
Now under new management, the sports centre is undergoing another makeover, bringing both promise and controversy.
(Far left) Filepic of Kelab Syabas, which was a popular hangout for PJ residents in the 1990s, who came to use the pool, dine at the restaurant and visit at the nightclub. (Left) Now renamed the PJ Sports Centre, the facility in Lorong Sultan is currently undergoing a revamp.
Storied history
The sports centre first began operations in 1963 as a public pool called the PJ Pool.
In 1990, it was purchased by a private company and renamed Kelab Syabas.
The club’s management also leased several lots around the pool area to nightclub entrepreneurs. Among them was DV8, which opened in 1989 and became a popular hangout for young people in the 1990s, before closing in 2005.
Then there was the legendary Waikiki Bar overlooking the swimming pool, known for its patrons and live band sessions. The bar shut down just before the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2011, Kelab Syabas underwent a management change when the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) leased it to Sepang Mekar Sdn Bhd.
Swimin12 founder Yeap says tenants who had more than a 100% hike in rental chose to leave.
The space was rebranded as PJ Palms Sports Centre, complete with an eight-lane, 50m pool, aiming for a resort-style sports image.
The swimming pool, owned by MBPJ, remains operational.
Sepang Mekar sublet space to a swim school, dive centre, hair salon, shops, and restaurants, including the neighbourhood favourite Out of Africa Restaurant and Kudu Bar, which had been operating there since 1995.
However, the contract with Sepang Mekar ended last year, leading MBPJ to start a tender process to appoint a new main contractor.
The contract was awarded to Kumpulan TDS Sdn Bhd, which now operates the PJ Sports Centre.
New phase of renewal
According to a spokesperson from MBPJ’s Evaluation and Asset Management department, Sepang Mekar was offered a chance to renew its contract but did not, as the city council asked a higher price for the lease.
StarMetro recently visited the PJ Sports Centre, and it was evident that it was in a transition phase.
Yeap (standing) training coaches for the swim certification course at the then PJ Palms Sports Centre. The school has since moved out due to higher rentals following a change in management. — Courtesy pic
The centre was far quieter, with few guests, as many former tenants had moved out due to increased rental fees.
When met, Kumpulan TDS property manager Vijayndran Muniandy said the company took over as the sports club new operator in September last year.
“We initially offered the existing tenants three months to continue their business at the old rental rate.
“After the grace period, we revised the price and followed up with legal letters on the rental increase.
“Some renters accepted the new terms, while others did not and moved out,” he said.
Too high a price
One tenant unable to accept the increase was Swimin12 founder Yeap Eu Juan, 40, also the former general manager of PJ Palms.
Swimin12 had been at PJ Palms for 10 years.
Yeap said that last year, MBPJ’s tender notice for PJ Palms asked for a minimum RM40,000 for the lease, nearly triple what Sepang Mekar was paying.
“We knew Sepang Mekar would lose the place. Despite assurances from the deputy mayor that tenants would be safe, some of us received legal letters from the new proprietor demanding a 300% rent increase,” he said.
He said the tenants who had less than 30% rental jump accepted the new offer, while the rest who incurred more than a 100% hike chose to leave.
Eventually, the new swim school tenant – Long Adventure Outdoor Sport – entered the premises under Kumpulan TDS to manage the pool.
Yeap was told that if Swimin12 wanted to collaborate with Long Adventure, the former would have to fork out a hefty monthly payment on top of paying for pool maintenance.
“Unable to manage the pool under these conditions, we moved our operations to the Universiti Malaya Swimming Pool, collaborating with Nadim Swim School,” he said.
“We are in the business of building a thriving community pool – we allow freelancers to teach, incubate entrepreneurs, support deaf communities and those with special needs and build national swimmers,” he added.
Swimin12 chief executive officer Darshini Balakrishnan, 38, said when the swimming school started at PJ Palms, the vision was to build a community and family hub.
“We had 63 freelancers come in to coach on weekends, and the pool opened as early as 4am until 11pm,” she said.
However, Darshini added that the agreement under the new management limited their work capabilities.
“Building a community pool is not easy; it involves growing an ecosystem and supporting a diverse range of communities. But it takes time, effort, relationships, and passion to succeed,” she said.
Melanie Hwa, who ran her dive centre Flow Dive since 2019, also chose to move out, citing that the increased rent and operational costs made her business infeasible.
“Sepang Mekar actually helped us through the Covid-19 period,” she said.
She noted that costly but limited pool time under the new arrangement did not make sense for her business.
Continuing the upgrades
Vijayndran told StarMetro that Kumpulan TDS was seeking public input on what to do with the space once occupied by Waikiki Bar.
“We definitely do not want another bar on the premises to avoid drunk patrons and fights breaking out in the wee hours of the morning.
“People are different now; they want to come here to swim, have family time.
“We can still consider live music in a cafe or bistro for this space,” he said, adding that a nasi kandar restaurant or another fast food brand in the space, once occupied by A&W, was being considered.
He added that the priority for the swimming pool would still focus on the public.
“We may close three lanes for coaching but never the whole pool,” he said, adding that three lifeguards work on shifts to ensure safety at the pool.
Vijayndran said the company had plans to upgrade and repair the leaking water tanks, as well as the piping system, including changing the swimming pool pumps and accessories.
There are also plans to build a surau for men and women.
“The transformation takes time and work is still in progress, but we welcome input from the public.”
The new centre now boasts a pickleball court and there are also plans to include a paddle ball court.
Vijayndran assured that plans were in place to upgrade the outdated shower stalls and changing rooms.
One area of concern at the centre is that it has only one entrance and exit.
Tenants say this posed a fire hazard.
However, Vijayndran said previous theft incidents prevented the management from opening other exits.
He also said the company was actively looking for new tenants and collaborators.
