The project at the Pleasanton, Calif. club includes key changes to the main clubhouse area, including remodeled and extended dining and bar areas for indoor and outdoor dining or social-gathering experiences; a brand-new fitness and wellness center; and remodeling of the main entry floor and lobby, including accessibility improvements in line with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
The Club at Castlewood in Pleasanton, Calif. is prepping for the start of construction on its multimillion-dollar endeavor to modernize the main clubhouse and add amenities as part of a new “Sports Center” building, the Pleasanton Weekly reported.
The project plans, which recently received approval from the East County Board of Zoning Adjustments, aim to refresh and refocus the historic country club as an active, state-of-the-art facility for the whole family, the Weekly reported.
“The excitement is building within the membership with construction set to begin [this] month on our remodel project that is creating new and attractive amenities that will enhance the membership experience of our members and their families,” Club President Rick Barraza said in a statement.
As temporary trailers already adorn the parking lot next to the golf shop in preparation, the start of construction will represent the latest key turning point for the club in the high-scale Castlewood community, the Weekly reported. The club, which dates back to 1924 on estate property once owned by George and Phoebe Hearst, parents of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, features two 18-hole championship golf courses along with tennis, swimming, bocce and special event facilities.
Club management and membership have been working in recent years on options to address accessibility issues with the 50-year-old clubhouse building as well as the changing model for country clubs in the Bay Area, evolving more into family-forward lifestyle clubs—a driving reason behind Castlewood dropping “country club” from its name and rebranding to The Club at Castlewood last November, the Weekly reported. The name change came nearly a year after plans were announced for major renovations to upgrade and modernize Castlewood facilities to the tune of an estimated $16 million, being funded by a $200 assessment for members for 20 years.
C+RB reported on the proposed changes in November 2020.
The vision with the rebranding and remodel is to “more accurately reflect the active, family-forward lifestyle characterized by quality experiences, engaging activities, and the modern amenities our Members will enjoy,” Barraza said in the statement.
The project includes key changes to the main clubhouse area, such as remodeled and extended dining and bar areas for indoor and outdoor dining or social gathering experiences; a brand-new fitness and wellness center; and other remodeling of the main entry floor and lobby, including accessibility improvements in line with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, the Weekly reported. The lower floor will feature showers and dressing room facilities, conference room, shoe repair, pro shop, childcare area and a new bride’s room for use during weddings.
Down the entry driveway, the existing pool house will be replaced with a new Sports Center that will also feature a bar and grill with outdoor seating for pool, tennis and bocce users, the Weekly reported. Crews will also install outdoor seating and a fire pit. Other site changes include landscaping and irrigation enhancements, new cart parking by the Sports Center, parking lot improvements, new outdoor furniture and fountain features.
The project plans were signed off by the county zoning board on February 11 with 32 conditions of approval, clearing the path for building permit reviews before construction starts, according to Rodrigo Orduña, assistant planning director for the county—since Castlewood is outside the city limits, it falls under Alameda County’s jurisdiction, the Weekly reported.
“The Castlewood Country Club proposal to demolish and construct a new pool house, renovations to the clubhouse, site and landscape improvements meet the zoning ordinance and East County Area Plan requirements and policies. The community facility improvements will the enhance user services and beautify the site appearance,” county planner Carole Kajita wrote in the staff report recommending project approval.
Once construction begins, clubhouse and pool house facilities will be closed, while the golf courses, tennis courts and bocce areas will remain open, the Weekly reported. Some temporary staff services will be offered via the trailers on-site during project work.
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