Early returns from the additions at the Vero Beach, Fla. club are positive, with membership growth over the past six months coming from a demographic of almost half the age of the average member currently, according to GM/COO Tim Straley. The project has an anticipated November opening.

With an aging demographic and a desire to attract younger families, Vero Beach (Fla.) Country Club decided to expand the club’s offerings by adding a resort style pool, fitness center and outdoor “Key West-style” bar and snack bar, reports General Manager/Chief Operating Officer Timothy R. Straley, CCM.

To fit within the existing property, the $4.1M project began in July of 2019 by moving the golf course’s entire ninth hole 60 yards to the north.

Construction for the new facilities began in December 2019 and was not affected by the COVID pandemic, Straley reports, and the project is progressing according to schedule with a November opening anticipated.

The 4,500-sq. ft. fitness center is being constructed with all the structure necessary to add a second floor in the future without disrupting activity on the lower level, Straley adds.

“The project started attracting new members from the start,” says Straley, “and membership growth over the past six months comes from a demographic of almost half the age of the average current VBCC member.

“The current membership is very excited to have the new facilities at their fingertips, as something that it had to go elsewhere to get in the past,” Straley adds.

VBCC was founded in 1924 and features an 18-hole golf course with Paspalum grasses. Audubon Certified, the club is committed to a green policy, with rigorous adherence to environmental planning, recycling, wildlife habitat management and lagoon protection.

A recent renovation of the 22,000-sq. ft. clubhouse now provides members with multiple dining venues—a main dining room, grille, pub, patio and club room.