Lake Life Maximized at Greystone G&CC

Enhanced outdoor facilities are giving members the perfect excuse to stay awhile. The Birmingham, Ala. club converted two unused tennis courts into a basketball court and four pickleball courts. Pedal boats are available for members to enjoy the lake, which was recently dredged and stocked with fish to provide anglers with an additional amenity.

They say life is better by the lake and for members at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham, Ala., these words couldn’t be more accurate. After taking a closer look at how the club could make better use of its existing lakeside activity center, management decided to reinvent the space this past summer.

“We wanted to improve our overall lifestyle amenities,” says General Manager/CEO David Porter, CCM. “Our [new] plan tied everything together in all areas.” The updated facility, which broadened its offerings to include pickleball and basketball courts and a picnic area, is set to become a year-round destination.

Promoting Play

A major improvement to Greystone’s 20,000-sq.-ft. outdoor facility involved giving new life to two abandoned Har-Tru tennis courts. The newly converted area now has a concrete base for basketball and pickleball with an acrylic coating. A black, vinyl-coated chain link fence separates the courts from an outdoor pool (part of the previous design) and basketball court from the surrounding lake, while a half fence separates basketball from pickleball. 

The basketball court features two Plexiglass commercial-grade hoops, which are adjustable for pickup games and more competitive play. Their royal-blue-and-grey design is accented by the Greystone Country Club logo in the center of the court. LED lighting provides ample illumination for nighttime play, and court usage is available by reservation for daytime and evenings. Full courts permit 10-12 players, while half courts allow three.

Adjacent to the pickleball and basketball courts is a sprawling picnic area, containing two metal-framed, fabric-covered pergolas with tables that seat six guests each. With the pool grill merely 50 yards away, members have easy access to food-and-beverage facilities from May through September. 

“We will have a beverage cart stationed there for group pickleball play as scheduled, and members can call the clubhouse for food and beverage to be delivered,” says Porter. Since a pizza delivery option is currently in place, he expects this additional service to be added seamlessly. 

Fun in the Sun

When members aren’t busy working up a sweat on the court or chowing down on some tasty grub, they can spend time relaxing on the water. While the surrounding lake abuts the ninth hole, it was recently dredged and stocked with fish to provide an additional amenity. It’s the only spot near the golf course where fishing is permitted, Porter notes. Two pedal boats are available for member use, and on weekends staff is on hand to assist visitors with life preservers. 

Taking full advantage of the first full season of the lakeside activity center was important, so Porter ensured that the project was completed before the pool’s opening. This required an increase in contractors who worked on Saturdays to get the job done in time. The extra effort has proven to be worthwhile, as evidenced by the exceptional member feedback. 

“It’s a great addition for all ages: families together, children alone and adults of all ages,” says Porter. He also notes that the activity center’s proximity to the pool provides a welcome alternative for younger members who wish to take a break from swimming. “It’s another complement to [fulfilling] our mission on being a full lifestyle club,” he adds.

Design Snapshot

Greystone G&CC
Pickleball nets and fencing: Wilson
Basketball court nets: Mega Slam Hoops
Pergolas: Purple Leaf
Picnic furniture: Summer Classics
Pedal boats: Pelican Sport

C+RB