Unofficial meeting to discuss Orthodox Club relocation cancelled

AMMAN — An unofficial meeting scheduled for the Orthodox Club’s general assembly to discuss the relocation suggested by board members was cancelled on Saturday, according to club members.

Ghazi Kawar, a member of the club’s general assembly, said the suggested price to buy the new venue on the airport road is “too high”, expressing opposition to selling the club's current headquarters in Abdoun at a low price.

“We are uncertain of the motives behind selling the current location,” he told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

“Many members believe that cancelling the meeting… means that the administration is not willing to listen to the other viewpoint,” Kawar said in a phone interview.

For his part, club chairman Michael Sayegh said the unofficial meeting was cancelled for security considerations.

The offer to buy the current premises, he added, is “suitable” and the general assembly has the right to be informed of the offers presented to the board.

Club members opposed to plans to move the club's headquarters say the new location is out of the way and have expressed fears for their children's safety at night.

The chairman noted that the decision to relocate has not been finalised, and nothing has been signed, adding that this is not the first time that the club changes its venue.

“In the 1970s, the club was relocated to Abdoun from the 3rd circle,” Sayegh told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Sayegh said transportation will be provided, with four buses driving children every day to the club on the airport road and back to the assembly point. Shuttle buses will be available every 10 minutes.

He noted that the new location would enable the club administration to open a parking lot and an empty venue for various activities.

Around 10,000 members are currently registered at the Orthodox Club, he noted, adding that a study conducted by the club’s board in cooperation with Deloitte company found that 30 per cent of club members are expected to discontinue their membership.

“On the other hand, there is a 10 to 15 per cent chance that more members will join the club in its new location, where more facilities and space are available.” 

The chairman added that the Abdoun location "is not prepared to receive any more members". 

"Businesses are expanding towards the airport road.” 

For the decision to pass, more than 75 per cent of the club's active members have to endorse it, according to Sayegh.

 “Those who protested the decision didn’t review the studies we have conducted about the issue. Some even rejected conducting studies,” Sayegh added.