Q. Why does Cardinal Hill need a renovation?
A. Cardinal Hill Swim & Racquet Club will celebrate its 40th anniversary
this summer. Over the years, we have routinely spent money for maintenance
and improvements to the clubhouse, the pool, tennis courts, snack bar
and other parts of the facility. However, as with any aging facility,
we have reached the point where we believe it is necessary to
give the club a facelift and at the same time make improvements that
will keep Cardinal Hill one of the premiere community swim and tennis
clubs in Northern Virginia well into the future. Last year, the club
formed a Renovation Task Force comprised of several persons on the Board
of Directors and volunteers from the membership to assess the club’s
overall needs, review various proposals, and make recommendations.
Q. What are the main elements of the proposed renovation?
A. While plans for the renovation have not been finalized, the task force identified several key components for the project, including:
- The clubhouse, including a new entrance, Americans with Disabilities Act (AD) compliant access to the pool, ADA compliant restrooms and showers, new sinks and toilets; a larger open-air cabana to accommodate large groups, updated exteriors (siding or other material) and interiors (tiled walls and floors), increased storage space, updated bathroom and shower fixtures that will meet current Fairfax County building codes, and resurfaced floors and walls, a new ceiling as well as enclosing the clubhouse to prevent dust, dirt, birds and small animals from getting into the attic.
- Replacement of the large
deck by the main swimming pool with a low
maintenance material such as TREX, as well as more shade structures for the main pool, the baby pool and the intermediate pool. Replacing the tennis deck with a low maintenance material such as TREX, and cleaning up the back area near the volleyball court. - Upgrading the snack bar to increase the work area and storage as well as improving ventilation, floors and fixtures and security.
- Remodeling the tennis hut for increased functionality and storage as well as modernizing and improving the restrooms with new fixtures, sinks, toilets, lighting, etc. and perhaps winterizing them for year round use.
- Installing new fencing and gates around the interior of the pool as well as installing new lighting and improving the landscaping.
Q. Have you considered doing the various parts of the renovation plan in incremental stages and stretching the project out over a number of years?
A. The Board decided that a comprehensive plan makes the most the sense. First, all parts of the club are aging at about the same rate. Second, upgrading only some parts of the club would likely make the rest of the club look particularly tired. Third, if we were to pursue an a la carte approach, our fear is that we would have difficulty reaching a consensus. That said, we will look at each component collectively and individually and we will not allow any one piece to run out of control.
Q. Will the three-meter diving board be brought back as part of the renovation project?
A. While we would like to see the three-meter board re-installed –as well as competition one-meter diving boards -- the resolution of those issues depends on what we need to do to meet current Fairfax County codes. We are still examining various options to determine what the cost of compliance with the county requirements would be. If the Board determines that we can meet the code requirements at a reasonable cost, then the high dive project could be included as part of the overall renovation.
Q. Will the existing clubhouse be demolished for a new structure?
A. The Renovation Task Force considered a variety of options including demolishing the current clubhouse. Several architects and engineers assured us that the current building is structurally sound and does not have to be replaced. After much discussion, the task force agreed that it would less costly to renovate the current structure than to tear it down and build a new clubhouse. The plumbing and electrical systems also are in good shape and will require only moderate work. The snack bar and the tennis hut are also structurally sound and would not have to be demolished.
Q. Was any consideration given to building an addition or a second story to the clubhouse to include a large community room that could be used year round, similar to the clubhouses at Shouse Village, Lakevale and Lee Graham?
A. The task force did explore that possibility but rejected the idea of a year round community room because of the additional construction cost as well as issues related to managing such a room and the impact of increased traffic and noise on the neighborhood.
Q. Would any renovation to the clubhouse require approval by the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals?
A. We have had preliminary discussion with representatives from Fairfax County who tell us that because of the limited scope of the project we would not be required to have a BZA hearing. We will continue to work with the county and the neighborhood to ensure that they understand and approve of the project.
Q. Would the renovation subject the Club to new storm water management requirements?
A. The issue of storm water management was discussed and was a concern. However, during a meeting with Fairfax County officials to discuss our preliminary plan we were told that because we are limiting the size of new construction we would be in compliance with storm water management regulations without incurring additional costs.
Q. What is the timing for the project and would the pool have to be closed while the renovation takes place?
A. Our goal would be not to have to close the pool during the renovation. Once the project is approved and the construction permits are obtained, we would schedule the work to begin after the pool closes around Labor Day of 2008 and have the bulk of the work completed opening day in the summer of 2009. Some elements of the renovation could be completed before the pool opens for the 2008 season.
Q. What are the voting requirements necessary to approve the renovation?
A. According to the club’s bylaws, there are no requirements for a vote of the membership on the renovation project. However, the Board of Directors agreed to put the project up for a vote because no one is comfortable undertaking a project of this magnitude without approval from the membership. The Board has agreed that a majority of those members voting either in person or by proxy will be required to approve the project.
Q. Do members have an opportunity to provide input on the renovation?
A. You will recall that we have conducted several town hall meetings to discuss various renovation plans and that the issue has been addressed at the annual meeting. The club also sent members a survey several years ago that helped us identify key areas for improvement. If you have suggestions, please e-mail them to the club at renovations@chsrc.com. Once we have developed architectural plans and have identified key elements for the various elements of the project, we will make them available for review and comment by members.
Q. How much will the renovation cost?
A. After meeting with several architects and construction companies, our preliminary estimate is that the renovation would cost up to $2.0 million. We intend to put the project up for competitive bid.
Q. How much would each member be required to pay?
A. The cost per member has not been determined and would depend on the final cost of the project. However, we estimate that each member would be required to pay an additional $3,000 to $3,500. The Board has agreed that all payments will be in the form equity contributions and will be returned to members when they leave the club.
Q. Would I receive any of my contribution to the renovation project back when I sell my membership?
A. Yes. We are still working on the final details on member payments, but our intention is to the fee an equity payment that would be returned to you when you sell your membership and leave the club.
Q. Would I be required to pay the full amount all at once?
A. No. We do not have all the details in place but we recognize that many members would like the option of spreading their payment out over a number of years. It is the board’s intention to devise a way to make that possible.
Q. I understand that we have a substantial waiting list. Is there any way we can increase the number of members to help reduce the cost of the renovation per family.
A. Unfortunately, that is not an option. Fairfax County regulates the number of memberships we can have based on the size of the facility and we are currently at capacity.
Q. Will people on the waiting list be required to pay an increased amount to join the club?
A. Yes. All new members will be required to pay any additional fees set by the board as well as the current dues when they are offered fullmembership. We have not determined whether the initiation fee will increase.
Q. How many people are on the waiting list?
A. As of Feb. 1, 2008, we have 428 persons on the waiting list.
Q. How much turnover in the membership each year?
A. That number varies depending on how many members decide to leave the club and how many members choose to lease their memberships. In recent years, about two dozen members sell their memberships and another 30-50 members choose to lease their memberships.
Q. Where will we get the money to finance the renovation project?
A. We have had excellent discussions with several local banks that are willing to lend us the funds necessary to undertake the project. We are confident that we will be able to obtain favorable loan rates for the project.
Q. I understand that the plan includes putting in either a ramp, lift or elevator for handicapped access. Is that necessary?
A. We are checking the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act to see how it would apply to us. However, we believe that as a convenience to members, especially handicapped, elderly or those pushing strollers, we should make entrance to the club easier.
Q. Have you considered adding other amenities such as playground equipment or a basketball court?
A. We have received suggestions for playground equipment, a basketball court and other things and in the course of the project we review those suggestions as well as others we might receive. We must take into account the cost and the liability exposure.