The new clubhouse, so urgently needed, was in every- one's mind, but the financial problems seemed insuperable. The overdraft was still large, and it was undesirable, to say the least, to start such an ambitious project while still so much in debt. Thus it needed courage and foresight, plus a lot of hard work looking into 1,001 details of leases, and legal and financial points to get any further. These qualities, and a willingness to devote time to the problems were forthcoming under the leadership of Mrs. Prophet. Gentlemen have happily always come forward to help the ladies throughout the history of the L.R.C. and they did so now, notably Mr. 'Pouf' Prophet, whose contacts and experience were invaluable.

In spite of having been very cautious at first about the Club's chances of success in raising such sums, the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank now promised a loan of $100,000 to the building fund if the overdraft could be liquidated before December 31st 1954. A final successful effort was made to do this. In addition, the Debenture Scheme had risen to $99,335 by the end of 1954.

Photo: Library overlooking the badminton court. Now the Bistro and the Function Room on the same level as the old Library. (click to zoom)

These figures, which some people may think uninteresting, in fact represent a great effort, and also show the healthy state and adventurous spirit of the Club. As an illustration, we quote a part of an interview on Radio Hongkong which Mrs. Prophet gave just prior to the opening of the new building.. In mentioning the individual enterprise of members in raising funds, she said,

"one member brought a weekly supply of vegetables and flowers from her garden to sell. Two others gave a cocktail party and charged an entry fee. (That project alone raised $2,000). Two other members ran a dinner party on the same lines, others organised Bridge Drives, Beetle Drives, Progressive Games Evening, Jumble Sales and many other forms of entertainment. It was the driving force and determination of these members which inspired us all to co-operate to get the Club on its feet, The Committee drew up a rough plan of all the future possibilities of the Club, so that everyone knew what he was aiming for ultimately; and by the end of January this year (1955) we actually boasted a credit balance in the bank, the first time since the beginning of 1947."

Image: sketch of entrance of new Main Clubhouse

Construction work actually took only five months, showing, the wisdom of all the advance planning that had gone on. When Mrs. Prophet laid the foundation stone on April 14th 1955, the new building was already taking shape behind a framework of wooden scaffolding. On August 5th Lady Grantham performed the opening ceremony.

photo from SCMP (French Consul's house, top right)

1957

1960 - May Road - detail

The excessive rains of 1957 caused a landslide below the far end of the pool, which naturally dismayed the Committee and their Financial Advisers. However the damage was made good by the construction of a retaining wall, and in addition, the Club's own piece of reclamation took place, providing space for a children's playground.

The turfed area at the end of the pool, which became a quagmire in the rains, was tiled.

In March, 1959, Mrs. Prophet resigned from the post of President, but although she and Mr. Prophet left the Colony, they still remain members of the L.R.C. as, to mark their long association with the Club, they were made the first Life Members.

Photo: Tennis awards, Old Clubhouse visible through window of the new Main Clubhouse

(click photo to zoom)

1960

The next item on the agenda for improvement is the proposed demolition of the present Junior Club House and the construction of a Family Club House. Design drawings have been made and it is hoped that work will commence during the, Autumn of 1961.

Junior Club House in 1960
(see diving boards bottom left)

click photo to zoom