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 1
st and 18
th
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!
