Tuesday, June 9, 2020

St Martins Lawn Patio


In late May we began to hear about challenges facing all food and beverage operations reopening in a world impacted by COVID-19.  Challenges included initially allowing only exterior dining and limiting interior seating to possibly 50% of capacity.  While we plan to adhere to short-term government mandates, we also knew that it was important for our members to have long term options for feeling comfortable and safe whenever they visited the club in the future.

We quickly reevaluated the feasibility of a project we had previously investigated prior to COVID-19, installing a flagstone patio near the Great Lawn to add seating.  Given the urgent circumstances, we were granted permission move forward.  I am pleased to report that our dedicated team of employees worked at a blistering pace and executed this work, from start to finish, in only one week!  
Early member feedback from those who have observed the patio has been extremely positive.  We have been told that it looks timeless, fits appropriately with how our members desire to use the club, provides our racquets community with a social experience similar to what Flourtown has overlooking the 1st and 18th holes, and will become a very popular area among the entire membership.  As the sun sets behind the clubhouse, the entire space is shaded by 5:30pm allowing for comfortable summer evenings.

Functionally, the lawn patio will serve as a perfect lingering space to have a cocktail before or after dinner or a sporting match.  This will be especially important when we reopen as we will be striving to accommodate as many members as possible dining on the porch while likely under government seating restrictions.  Currently, we are populating the patio with the extra tables and chairs we are not using due to social distancing requirements.  


Below are photos of the new lawn patio.  Fingers crossed; we hope you can enjoy it soon!

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.


Relocating the boxwood hedge to make room for the patio

Boxwood hedge relocated and site excavated

Base material installed

Installation begins

Ensuring our pattern is just right

Finished in one week!

View of the Lawn Patio from the Tennis Patio

Seating for 40!

Minimal aesthetic change from the Great Lawn

Beautiful setting overlooking the Great Lawn

"Before" image taken in late 2014

"After" image following Lawn Patio completion!


Monday, March 9, 2020

Grounds and Facilities Update

A tremendous amount has been accomplished around the club in February.  The Flourtown Kitchen is wrapping up on time.  Below are some of the major project that have taken place.



 Flourtown kitchen planning meeting in October 2019

 Reviewing design work in November of 2019

 Preconstruction Meeting

 Demolition begins

 Rough-in meeting prior to electrical and plumbing adjustments

 Hood installation begins

 Epoxy floor installation

 Floor complete

 New ceiling grid and LED light installation

 Gas hook ups positioned for new equipment

New three-shelve unit installed with ten heaters 

 Equipment connection process

 New kitchen line complete!


Time Lapse Video of the kitchen construction

Walk-in refrigerator and freezer installation

Walk-in refrigerator and freezer complete

Installation of character-grade, white oak floor

 Sanding prior to staining

 Finished floor installation

 Electrical modifications prior to adding more fans on the patio

 Unloading delivery of large trees

New trees prior to planting

 Tree installation to the right of #3 Militia Hill Complete

 Informational plaque placed near #4 Militia Hill tee explaining the history of the stone ruins

 Expanded drop area on #17 Militia Hill

An eight-court pickleball social being hosted in our indoor facility following the painting of blended lines

Additional seating capacity created near the baby pool