Clubs are pulling off their pool covers with refreshed digs, as they gear up for another run of record-breaking usage.
Time to dust off the diving board and unfold the lounge chairs: It’s pool season once again and clubs are ready and waiting. After a banner year of outdoor recreation, when members turned out in droves, seeking refuge from the pandemic, pools became the hot spot for young families and seasoned clubgoers alike.
As facilities prepare their pool complexes for what promises to be an equally active year, revamped designs are diving deep into other non-swimming amenities to appeal to landlubbers as well. Enhanced poolside dining facilities, along with new swim sites, are destined for another memory-making summer.
Extending the Season
While swimming weather has a short window in the Midwest, one club has found a way to lengthen the usefulness of its pool facility. At Thunder Hills Country Club in Peosta, Iowa, an outdated pool was replaced last June with a larger model and a revamped cabana. The $2.2 million construction project, which was completed last June, has proven to be a valuable investment.
A bump up from the previous footprint, the club’s 4,200-sq. ft. pool boasts an extra 500 sq. ft., providing ample space for a slew of features. Novice and advanced swimmers can take advantage of the newly designed in-water seating pods, along with a water aerobics workout area and lap lanes. According to General Manager Andy DeSollar, a 30-percent increase in decking enables up to 175 guests (up from 100) to enjoy a post-swim reprieve.
In fact, the club’s pool competes for attention with an updated 3,700-sq. ft. cabana, accessible via five glass garage doors that open to the pool and golf course. Doubled in size from the previous incarnation, this building boasts a full-service bar area, kitchen and snack service, seating and dining area, restrooms, changing rooms and shower facilities.
“The previous cabana building basically consisted of a walk-up window to a small room with limited F&B service and restrooms,” explains DeSollar.
In the off-season, the cabana’s big draw is the addition of two golf simulators that can be used from November through April. “This has added a whole new amenity, enhanced membership value and improved member retention,” says DeSollar. As a result, Thunder Hills has seen a 25-percent social membership increase since the renovation.
In the months ahead, the club plans to add extra seating and shade structures to accommodate an uptick in traffic. The combination of increased decking and an expanded cabana enable better social distancing during the busy season.
Home Away from Home
For pandemic-weary members at Milburn Golf and Country Club in Overland Park, Kan., a newly minted pool and dining facility has become the place to be. The $4.7 million redesign was unveiled to members last Memorial Day weekend and has enabled the club to meet an increased demand in social membership.
A complete overhaul of the existing 5,100-sq. ft. pool includes a two-board dive well and walk-in staircase. In addition, a small baby/toddler pool was replaced with a 2,285-sq. ft. zero-entry lounge pool.
“Not only is it kid-friendly with the shallow entry, [but] we added a lounge chair bench for parents to watch their children or enjoy a beverage and enjoy the pool as well,” says General Manager/COO James Nanson.
A splash pad is also part of the leisure pool’s design, extending the fun to older siblings.
To streamline output, each of the pools now has its own dedicated pump system and heater, resulting in greater energy efficiency and overall savings.
Surrounding these water structures is expanded pool decking—an area that boasts a 20-percent increase—where visitors can take advantage of the club’s mobile F&B ordering service or grab-and-go menu. Members also have the option of sitting in a separate covered outdoor space (with a maximum occupancy of 60) or an elevated patio outfitted with tables and adjustable umbrellas (with permitted seating for up to 100). A rebuilt bistro, complete with an indoor/outdoor bar, helps to extend the dining options beyond the pool deck.
“The renovation has allowed us to add an amenity that can be utilized while swimming or just wanting to enjoy an outdoor space,” says Nanson.
Since last spring’s opening of the renovated pool and surrounding dining amenities, Milburn has seen a tremendous boost in membership. Nanson reports a 95-percent satisfaction rate on the club’s most recent survey, and a waitlist for both golf and social memberships has already begun.
“The pool is a home away from home for a lot of our families in the summer,” he says. “With the new pool bar and restaurant, a lot of our members who didn’t ever use the pool in previous years frequented the new facility this past summer.”
In anticipation of summer rush, the club plans to add more poolside furniture and update the outdoor sound system with extra speakers. “We are already hiring and training staff for the new season and look forward to another busy season,” enthuses Nanson.
Summer Central
To further establish its outdoor recreation as a member destination at an essential time, The Muttontown Club in East Norwich, N.Y. recently refurbished its pool facility. Opened just in time for the 2021 summer season, the $1 million project includes an updated pool and enhanced member accommodations that go beyond a refreshing dip.
Working within the existing layout, design plans centered upon additional functionality to the current setup, including a new shallow end (with two stairways), skimmer system and tiling.“We already had a fantastic layout for our outdoor pool, indoor locker rooms and snack bar,” says General Manager Chris Bell, outlining the goal of upgrading the pool and expanding the social areas to accommodate more families. “The vibe that was created is an atmosphere where people can hang out and enjoy the outdoors, even if [they are] not swimming.”
A new gradient entry simplifies access into the 13,668-sq. ft. resort-style, free-form pool; the installation of three ladders provides additional entry/exit points. Removing an adjoining playground made room for an expansive children’s splash pad, surrounded by loungers and umbrellas where parents can comfortably keep a watchful eye on their kids. Further enhancing the poolside recreation are a full marble bar, couches and firepit area and marble buffet that can be booked for private parties and barbecues.
Helping to maximize the family clubgoing experience is the newly updated pool house, where a storage room has been converted into a kids’ gaming center, complete with air hockey tables, games and a television set. New drop ceiling, lights and flooring add polish to the renovated space. “This room now serves as TMC summer camp headquarters,” says Bell proudly, noting the club’s ability to offer a camp program for the first time last year.
Even though Covid was a factor during the pool’s reopening, TMC did not let the pandemic derail its operations. By offering morning and afternoon pool sessions via advanced reservations, the club was able to limit the number of guests at any given time. “This allowed us to separate the lounge chairs based on reservations and party size to ensure that there was no overcrowding, and that proper social distancing was maintained,” notes Bell.
Now, with the height of the pandemic in the rearview and summer on the horizon, TMC is ready for yet another fruitful season. Having added a pool membership option to its offerings and welcoming a new influx of members this past year, the club’s maintenance department is busily preparing for plenty of activity. “By opening, the pool is warm and all the facilities are sparkling,” says Bell.
Making a Splash
Young families at Crystal Coast Country Club in Pine Knoll Shores, N.C., can cool off without having to step foot in the pool, thanks to a new splash pad area. As part of a larger club-wide renovation, following an ownership change in 2019, the kids-only amenity was unveiled during summer 2020 and has been a big draw for the littlest members.
“The addition allows for families to congregate around the pool while the children have fun in a safe environment,” says General Manager/Director of Golf Danny Torbush.
Located adjacent to the main pool and separated by gates, the splash pad for ages 12 and under features four water features activated by a timer that members can control to their liking. With a combined occupancy of 100 people at a time, the splash pad extends the main pool’s usefulness beyond a traditional standalone swim spot. Because of their close proximity, the pad’s design enables parents to monitor their child while in the pool area or at the splash pad itself.
In the last two years, Crystal Coast has added 400 new members, many of whom are utilizing the pool facilities. According to Torbush, the splash pad has been met with resounding approval.
“It allows the parents and grandparents time to actually relax while at the pool, while their kids and grandkids enjoyed the splash pad instead of the main pool,” he notes.
Summing It Up
> Pool design has been influenced by pandemic-weary members in search of safe recreation options.
> With more attention paid to pool complexes, design plans are also encompassing waterside dining.
> Factoring in extra decking space supports the need for more outdoor furniture while enabling social distancing.
C+RB
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.