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!