Photography by Nat Rea, Courtesy of Lichten Architects and JBD JGA Design & Architecture.
With more than 140 years of history, The Rockaway Hunting Club (Lawrence, N.Y.) has long been a fixture in the industry. Still, for all its legacy and longevity, one essential amenity had never been part of the equation: a pool.
Located in a suburban community, the club has always attracted families and operates with a distinctly family-oriented focus.
Last summer, it opened a new Olympic-size pool built to support competitive swim teams in the area, along with a dedicated diving well, a splash-entry area for children, and clearly marked lanes for exercise swimming.
Leadership did not want to simply add a pool. The goal was to create an experience that feels convenient, practical, and thoughtfully elevated for members of all ages.
Responding to major needs
The new aquatic center was completed in under two years and sits approximately 150 yards from the main clubhouse. Because of that physical separation, leadership determined early on that the facility would require its own dedicated food-and-beverage operation.
Rather than relying on a basic snack counter, the club developed a dining program tailored to how families actually use the space. Younger swimmers can walk up for quick, familiar fare, while adults have access to a more relaxed setting designed for longer stays.
The aquatic center includes a two-level dining venue. The lower level functions as a casual, short-order lunch space built for convenience and steady daytime traffic.
Upstairs, members will find shaded seating, a full bar, and views of the Atlantic Ocean, along with sightlines to the club’s grass tennis courts. The upper deck was conceived as an adult-oriented environment and has quickly become a popular alternative for casual outdoor dining.
That demand is consistent with broader usage patterns at suburban clubs, where outdoor, relaxed dining environments continue to draw strong interest.
Access and circulation were also part of the planning process. The aquatic center includes its own parking area off a separate road, allowing families to arrive, spend the day at the pool, dine, and depart without moving through the main clubhouse. The arrangement preserves the clubhouse’s more traditional atmosphere while giving the aquatic complex the freedom to operate as a distinctly casual, family-focused space. It also improves safety by reducing the need for children to cross busy roads or parking lots.
Relying on Expertise
The planning process was collaborative, with club leadership and the project team working through design decisions in steady dialogue. Some elements originated with the club. Others were shaped by prior experience with similar facilities.
The locker rooms are one example of that balance. The club prioritized adequate locker capacity and provided staffing projections to ensure the space would support lifeguards and daily operations. At the same time, the layout reflects current best practices for aquatic facilities.
Design details were also adjusted to align with the club’s architectural character. Because the building features a flat roof, a decorative railing was added to complement the overall aesthetic and clearly define the entrance from the rest of the property.
Family locker rooms were incorporated as well, reflecting a growing expectation at clubs. The configuration allows caregivers and children of opposite genders to change comfortably and privately, a practical consideration for a family-driven environment.
Operational amenities were debated, too. Leadership ultimately chose to provide towels rather than require members to bring their own, reinforcing the level of service expected at a club of this stature.
Even the hardscape surrounding the pool deck was carefully studied. Multiple paving mockups were tested to evaluate heat retention, with particular attention paid to barefoot comfort during peak summer temperatures. The result is a surface that supports both safety and usability throughout the day.
Clubs can never be too luxurious
Feedback from members and leadership on the new aquatic center has been overwhelmingly positive.
One early concern was whether adding another dining venue would pull traffic away from existing outlets. That has not materialized. Instead, food-and-beverage sales have increased, with the pool complex generating incremental activity rather than simply shifting it.
At many suburban clubs, the goal is to create reasons for families to arrive early and stay well into the evening. The aquatic center supports that pattern. Members spend the morning at the pool or on the golf course, transition to casual dining during the day, and later change for dinner in the main clubhouse.
For clubs considering a similar addition, the advice is straightforward: lean into quality. Amenities such as towel service and well-appointed locker rooms elevate the experience and encourage members to remain on property longer. Thoughtful details signal that the space is an extension of the club’s overall standards, not an afterthought.
Equally important is a diversified dining strategy. Formal dining rooms still hold value, but demand for relaxed, family-friendly options continues to grow. Today’s country club serves entire households, not just individual golfers, and amenities that reflect that shift tend to drive both engagement and usage.
