GreatLIFE Golf and Fitness bought St. Joseph (Mo.) Country Club in March, and began demolition on June 1 for the first phase of an improvement project that includes a fitness center. Fairlawn Country Club in Akron, Ohio showcased the completion of a new golf practice facility and patio/pavilion during a grand opening on June 3.
Work is underway to help revitalize the St. Joseph (Mo.) Country Club. GreatLife Golf and Fitness took ownership of the property March 1 with a vision to attract new members. Demolition began on June 1 for phase one of the improvement project, the St. Joseph News-Press reported.
The plan includes building a fitness center that will include weights, ellipticals and other equipment. Amenities such as lockers and steam showers also will be added. Part of the project includes renovating the room connected to the back patio, which will transform into an upscale sports bar that will open up to a remodeled patio area. The center of the clubhouse will upgrade to a more contemporary, casual dining experience, the News-Press reported.
“We have this beautiful old clubhouse, but it was too much square footage to be efficient,” Dave Hornaday, former board member of the St. Joseph Country Club, said. “Their plan better utilizes the square footage of the clubhouse and takes areas that were, I don’t want to say just dead space, but they turn them into revenue generators.”
In order to create a more vibrant atmosphere that holds tables filled with conversation, the business model allowed the clubhouse to lower membership rates from what used to be a top rate of $515 per month to $345 per month. The club has gained more than 60 new members, the News-Press reported.
However, demolition is taking longer than expected due to issues found with the roof. General Manager Chris Fore isn’t worried though, and he expects for phase one to be complete by December, which is a month later than originally planned, the News-Press reported.
The company hopes the new vision ultimately will attract a younger generation that may not enjoy approaching the green and would rather hit the gym instead, the News-Press reported.
“I’ve certainly worked with people that have no interest in playing golf but would have loved to have been members here, but they do have a fitness membership somewhere,” Hornaday said. “Well, it makes perfect sense that this will be attractive to people. It’s very affordable and they’re in essence full members of the club, they just don’t play golf.”
According to GreatLife KC Regional Manager Jeff Miller, the next item on the agenda, phase two, will focus on the front entrance of the clubhouse along with the pro shop, which will connect to the main part of the building, bringing everything under the same roof for easy accessibility, the News-Press reported.
“Back in the ’80s and the early ’90s, this was the place to be. It was a prestigious thing to be a part of St. Joseph Country Club,” Fore said. “What we’re trying to do is revitalize that. We want to make this club the place to go in St. Joe again, and not only to benefit our members but to benefit the city as well.”
Miller said if everything goes as planned, they likely will expand staff, the News-Press reported.
Fairlawn Country Club in Akron, Ohio showcased the completion of two capital projects during a grand opening on June 3, Akron.com reported.
A new golf practice facility, located by the club, involved a major renovation of the existing driving range and the addition of a new short-game practice area, offering golfers an opportunity to hone putting, chipping and bunker play skills, Akron.com reported.
Work on the new patio/pavilion, which offers members a vista as they dine, included repaving and the addition of a pavilion to allow for outside dining even in inclement weather, Akron.com reported.
Club President Chris Tipping congratulated all those whose efforts led to seeing the projects completed on budget and took part in a ceremonial first drive with other present and past leaders of the club. The event also included dinner and golf contests in putting, closest to the hole and longest drive, Akron.com reported.
According to club officials, Fairlawn Country Club will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, Akron.com reported.
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