Belle Haven Renovation Booklet by bellehavencc

PROPOSED PHASE I

OF THE LONG TERM STRATEGIC PLAN

Please join us for a

BELLE

HAVEN COUNTRY CLUB

TOWN HALL MEETING

Tuesday, August 15 th at 7:00pm in the Ballroom

The Town Hall Meeting will also be available via Zoom

Following the Town Hall Meeting, there will be two Q & A sessions: Thursday, August 17th and Wednesday, August 23rd. An electronic Membership Vote for Active Members will be launched on Thursday, August 24th and will conclude with a Special Membership Meeting on Thursday, September 7th to announce the outcome of the vote.

 VOTE YES

 VOTE NO

All Active Members of Record are eligible to vote per BHCC Bylaws.

Please ensure the Club has your correct email address on file to receive the invitation to vote!

NON-ELIGIBLE TO VOTE MEMBERSHIP

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thursday, September 7 th at 7:00pm in Ballroom iii

Letter from the Club President

Dear Fellow Members,

For 99 years Belle Haven Country Club ("BHCC") has been a haven for members, their families, and friends. Founded in 1924, BHCC has grown from a modest clubhouse and ninehole golf course to the remarkable family-focused golf, athletic and social club it is today. For almost a century BHCC has continually adapted to the ever-changing needs of its members and the developing Alexandria area.

Five years ago, the BHCC Board developed a long-term strategic plan to improve club financials and increase member satisfaction by enhancing the member experience through improvements to infrastructure, operations, amenities, and service. Since that time, BHCC's adhering to the principles underlying the long-term strategic plan has greatly improved our financial position.

Now, as we prepare to embark on our Centennial year, the BHCC Board of Directors and the BHCC Long-Term Planning Committee are pleased to present the detailed plan set forth in this brochure for Phase 1 of the Long-Term Facilities Enhancement Plan. Phase 1 will fundamentally transform the lower level and patio experience of our BHCC, while also adding enhancements and additions to amenities encompassing many areas of our haven, including dining and events, golf, racquets, locker rooms, youth activities, and fitness. As noted in this guide, other future enhancements for areas of BHCC are being identified and considered.

The new enhanced infrastructure, amenities, operations and services outlined in Phase 1, and those that have recently been adopted or seen as future phases, have been developed from member input starting with the 2019 Member Survey. In addition to the Survey, member focus groups and listening groups involving hundreds of members of varied ages and interests were held. The BHCC Board and relevant committees involved in the process also considered the membership experiences of other area clubs. Outside consultants were also retained and, together with members possessing relevant experience, proposed new means to utilize and improve our facilities and services.

As a result of such efforts, Phase 1 enhancements and additions will positively impact current and future generations of BHCC members. Clubs that make investments in the future continue to provide an improved membership experience. The enhancements and amenities set forth in Phase 1 will serve to achieve our goals of increasing member satisfaction, retention, and recruitment, as well as sustaining Belle Haven's competitive position and upholding its brand reputation.

On Tuesday, August 15, a Town Hall Meeting will be held in the BHCC Ballroom wherein the final Phase 1 design plan will be presented to membership. The August 15 Town Hall continues our efforts to keep Membership informed about all aspects of the Phase 1 project. Feedback received during and after the March 28 Town Hall Meeting was greatly appreciated, with multiple ideas suggested at that meeting now incorporated into the revised Phase 1 plans.

We strongly encourage all members to review this guide, attend the Town Hall on August 15 and ask questions and share your ideas. While this guide is designed to capture the most significant points concerning Phase 1, as well as ongoing or potential future phases, this guide does not set forth all efforts underway or planned for enhancements to the membership experience at BHCC.

As you review this guide and raise any questions or suggestions, the BHCC Board, committees, and other volunteers hope that you will share the enthusiasm and vision for Phase 1 of the longterm strategic plan. More importantly, the Board, committees and volunteers supporting Phase 1 hope that Active Members will vote in favor of Phase 1 beginning on August 24. This vote of the Active Membership will conclude on Thursday, September 7 with a Special Membership Meeting to announce the vote. We would like to thank everyone involved in helping to bring the long-term strategic plan to this positive point. The list of volunteers is very lengthy, including the many past and present BHCC Board members, the Long-Term Planning, Finance, Pool, Racquets, Golf, Greens, Membership and Fitness Committees, the many members of BHCC who have shared their expertise in relevant areas of construction, design, finance, and project development, and a team of skilled consultants and dedicated employees. Most importantly, over the past five years of thorough and careful deliberation, our haven has had hundreds of members participate in focus group sessions and many, many more have volunteered ideas and provided valuable input. In sum, the participation of so many BHCC members has clearly resulted in a positive focus on improving the membership experience of our haven, which has been greatly appreciated.

The BHCC Board, management, and the volunteers that have been involved to date look forward to continued collaboration with our membership and enjoying the results for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Brian A. Miller, President on behalf of the

Belle Haven Country Club Board of Directors

Why & Why Now?

Since 1924, Belle Haven Country Club has been a haven for its members. From a small 9- hole golf course to the athletic and social club it is today, our mission has always been to provide Belle Haven members, their families, and guests with an exceptional experience—an experience like no other. The picturesque golf course and grounds overlooking the Potomac River, coupled with the beautiful Clubhouse and Fitness Center, provide amenities of incredible value delivered in a consistently high-level service culture.

Belle Haven is about to celebrate 100 years because club leaders and management, over many decades, acknowledged the need to meet our members’ evolving lifestyles and expectations for a private club. A club cannot be static—continuous improvement and attention to member utilization and satisfaction must be our guiding principles. This strategy will improve retention and secure a pipeline of prospective members, ensuring Belle Haven remains one of the preeminent country clubs in the country.

Achieving Financial Success

In 2016, in preparation for Belle Haven’s 100th Anniversary, the Board of Directors and management team adopted and began a disciplined approach to “strategic pillars” with a specific focus on four of the six pillars below. These “pillars” were foundational in guiding and strengthening the Club’s financial position in preparation for future projects and the Centennial Celebration in 2024.

GROW MEMBERSHIP

Creating and maintaining a club that consistently exceeds the expectations of our current members who will invite their friends and colleagues to join BHCC.

OPTIMIZE CLUB OPERATIONS

The Club optimizes its operating profile, continues prudent budget management.

PROTECT CLUB FINANCES

BHCC will reduce the debt to 50% of revenues by 2024.

IMPROVE & STRENGTHEN THE CLUB BRAND

Increase member engagement, utilization and loyalty.

IMPROVE FACILITIES, AMENITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE

Evaluate the needs and wants of membership to prioritize facility improvements.

ENHANCE GOVERNANCE

Define and perpetuate a more respectful membership culture or Esprits de Corps. Develop more business-like systems and improve club bylaws.

This disciplined approach has allowed BHCC to generate sufficient cash reserves to complete several significant capital projects to date and develop plans to finish several others in the future. The focus has been on enhancement projects that bring long-term value to our Club and its members by improving or creating an exceptional member experience.

Phase I | Campus-Wide Improvements, Key Objectives & Goals

Over the past five years, as we analyzed our current facilities, industry data and member and focus group feedback, the Board of Directors and the Long-Term Planning Committee developed key objectives and goals.

ENHANCE THE OVERALL MEMBER EXPERIENCE

NO LONG-TERM DEBT

TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION

FIRST CLASS DESIGN, BUILD AND FINISH

CREATE A FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE PROJECTS

LONG TERM PLANNING MUST BE INCLUSIVE, AVOID DOING THINGS TWICE, COMBINE EFFORTS WHEN PRUDENT TO DO SO AND AVOID SCOPE CREEP

MEMBERS WANT NEW AMENITIES, AND WE NEED TO MAKE IT FIT AND FLOW

IMPROVE CLUBHOUSE LOWER LEVEL CIRCULATION

BE SENSITIVE TO CONSTRUCTION FATIGUE

IMPROVE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CONNECTIVITY

UPDATE AND MODERNIZE AN AGING FACILITY

MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE DINING EXPERIENCE

RIGHT-SIZE LOWER LEVEL KITCHEN

IMPROVE THE RACQUET (PICKLEBALL) AND GOLF EXPERIENCE (SHORT GAME AREA)

The Survey Says...

In 2019, a member survey was conducted after numerous meetings were held to identify proposed facility enhancements. The members, via the survey, helped the Long-Term Planning Committee identify projects for Phase 1 and future phases.

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS SURVEY RESULTS

Respondents were provided with a list of potential major capital projects and were asked to indicate any project(s) they believe the Club should consider in a Long-Range Facilities Enhancement Plan. A graph of the survey responses is provided below.

We Listened & Developed the Conceptual Phase I Plan...

In addition to the member survey, member focus groups and listening groups involving hundreds of members of varied ages and interests were held. The BHCC Board and relevant committees involved in the process also considered the membership experiences of other area clubs. Outside consultants were retained and, together with members possessing relevant experience, proposed new means to utilize and improve our facilities and services.

Based on their efforts and planning over the last five years, the Board and management team created a conceptual plan for Phase 1 with cost estimates.

And We Have Continued to Listen...

MARCH 2023 TOWN HALL MEETING

Since the March 2023 Town Hall meeting, we listened to our members' feedback and have adjusted the scale and the affected areas of Phase 1 to better align with our members' interests. Here are some of the adjustments made based on thoughtful member responses and feedback:

• The Living Room will remain in its current location, with plans for future furniture refurbishment.

• Clubhouse Ladies' and Men's Golf Locker Room improvements have been added.

• Reduced multi-sport gaming simulators from 3 to 2.

• New dining seating on both upper and lower levels was reduced, while still offering a variety of enclosed and covered outdoor areas.

Phase I | Proposed Plan & Key Components

Phase I was developed as a project to enhance the experience of all members—with many hours of input from members, subject experts, and staff. Our financial status was also analyzed and studied which resulted in the development of a clear understanding of how to make Phase I work within the Club's financial framework.

By addressing Phase I of the Long-Term Plan now, the Club will position itself to take on new opportunities out of the future available capital our Club will continue to generate.

With member feedback received and incorporated, and support for the direction of the project, Phase I will serve the current membership and future generations of members. The following pages provide conceptual illustrations and key features on the proposed components, proposed future phases, timeline for Phase I, an estimated cost of Phase I, and the Member Investment.

REDESIGNED LOWER LEVEL INDOOR FOOD & BEVERAGE EXPERIENCE

• New! Glass enclosed round bar with high ceilings better connecting with the patio.

• Fresh family friendly (casual) indoor dining.

• Open air capabilities when weather permits.

• New! Pizza oven & grille.

• New! Covered Lower Level North Patio with radiant heaters & ceiling fans adjacent to the indoor Pizza Bar.

EXPANDED & IMPROVED PATIO

• New! Built-in Patio Bar & Grille

• Removal of staircases to provide more light & extra space & seating.

• Regraded patio to slope water away from the clubhouse, further enhancing views of the golf course & Potomac River.

• New! Two large stone firepits.

LADIES' & MEN'S GOLF LOCKER ROOM UPDATES

• Complete renovation of wet areas.

• New! Ladies' Sauna & Men's Steam Room.

• New! Lounge areas.

• Reorganized locker size & layout to maximize capacity.

NEW! UPPER-LEVEL COVERED TERRACE FOR DINING & MIXED USE

NEW! COVERED LOWER-LEVEL NORTH PATIO

• Better connectivity to the Tennis courts, Pool & Athletic Facility.

NEW! UPPER-LEVEL NORTH TERRACE FOR DINING & MIXED USE

NEW! TWO INDOOR MULTI-SPORT GAMING SIMULATORS & LOUNGE

• Lounge seating for events & parties.

• Multi-sport capacity for children’s birthday parties (bowling, skeet shooting, etc.).

• New Indoor League Play.

• Close proximity to food & beverage.

• Year-round pro lessons.

• Noise cancelling technology.

NEW! FOUR PICKLEBALL COURTS & REDESIGNED SHORT GAME AREA

• Reconfiguration of the short game area to increase capacity.

• Beautification of the pond and Club entry.

• Four pickleball courts near the Athletic Facility.

NEW! YOUTH ACTIVITIES CENTER (YAC)

• Dedicated area featuring games, TV & arcade.

LOWER-LEVEL KITCHEN EXPANSION

• Optimize kitchen equipment to service a more vibrant dining scene.

• Pizza Bar and Patio Bar/Grille also improve capacity.

• Extended cooking line will provide additional production to reduce food wait times.

GOLF PRO SHOP

• Improved more contiguous space for better merchandising.

• Maintains connection between locker rooms & the first tee.

CART & BAG STORAGE

• Reconfigured to maximize capacity.

New! Stone Firepits & Outdoor Grille & Bar

The Patio should be an optimal place for members and their families to gather outdoors. By eliminating the large staircases, regrading the surface of the Patio, adding the outdoor grille and bar, the Patio will be the ideal spot to connect with family and friends. There will be no better spot to get a fresh burger from the cart path or grab a cold drink after a round of golf or tennis. The new Outdoor Grille will take the “heat” off of the kitchen to make sure your food arrives on time.

During Covid, we all relearned the joy of lounging outside, around a fire. The new built-in fire pits provide a social amenity to further energize the Patio and extend the outdoor dining season.

New! Covered Lower Level North Patio

The Lower Level reconfiguration includes a new covered patio adjacent to the Pizza Bar, which opens the space to more light and provides closer connection to the Tennis courts, the Pool, and Athletic Facility. This also creates a new upper level multi-use terrace for dining, drinks and other experiences that currently interrupt service elsewhere.

Covered Lower Level North Patio

New! Upper Level Covered Terrace

The new Upper Level Covered Terrace will be the perfect spot for dining, drinks and other experiences with amazing views. With ceiling fans and radiant heaters, this space will be comfortable in most seasons. This is a flexible space designed for member dining on beautiful spring, summer or fall afternoons/ evenings. This will also allow an enhancement of the Third Floor Potomac Room Terrace.

Hearth Lounge & 19 th Hole (formerly Hilliard

Room)

With floor to ceiling glass doors highlighting panoramic views of the golf course and Potomac River, this lower level dining and social space connects seamlessly to the outdoor patio and adjacent lounge. Connecting the Hearth Lounge to the Patio is the 19th Hole enclosed central round bar with high ceilings, surrounded in glass with several operational doors that can also bring the outdoors in, weather permitting. There is no better spot at the Club to grab a drink before dinner, run into old friends or watch the game around the fireplace. This is a two-story structure which includes an extended Upper Level Covered Terrace (see page 13) for outdoor dining on the main level of the Clubhouse. Thoughtfully designed with radiant heat and ceiling fans, this will be enjoyable in most seasons.

New! Enlarged Casual Dining & Pizza Bar Connecting to the Covered Lower Level North Patio

The enlarged Casual Dining and Pizza Bar and Grille provide a great family casual dining area. There is substantial flexibility with the transition space (Par 3 dining) between the 19th Hole/Hearth Lounge and the family dining and Pizza Bar. In the evening, the cozy booths, located in the Par 3 Dining room, are the perfect place for a comfortable family dinner overlooking the golf course, but it reconfigures quickly to support flexible dining service options. In the afternoon, the doors open wide for bar service. The outdoor Covered Lower Level North Patio extension (see page 13) outside of the family dining and Pizza Bar provides a shaded connection to the Tennis courts, Pool, and Athletic Facility. It will also brighten the indoor family dining area with more natural light.

The Covered Lower Level North Patio will also be a great place for families to gather for lunch, dinner, and social activities. Ceiling fans and radiant heaters make the covered North Patio a comfortable dining option throughout the year.

New! Youth Activities Center

The new and enlarged Youth Activities Center is the perfect place for the children to relax and play games.

New! Two Multi-Sport Gaming Simulators & Lounge

The Pro Shop will be moved just slightly, offering better contiguous space for display of merchandise while maintaining connectivity to the locker rooms, bag room and the first tee. This also connects to a new simulator lounge, which offers multi-sport family fun as well as opportunities for indoor golf. Birthday parties, family nights with skeet shooting, basketball, football and other virtual activities, make this a fun space for everyone.

Ladies' & Men's Golf

Locker Room Upgrades

Other interior renovations include the Golf Locker Rooms, in which the wet areas will be completely redone and include a steam room (Men's) and a sauna (Ladies'). New relaxing lounge/gaming areas and a reorganized mix of locker size and layout ensure plenty of capacity.

Proposed Short Game Improvement Areas

Pickleball Courts

I

$15,100,000

Project Timeline

The timing of Phase I will be contingent upon weather and permits, with certain components, such as the Pickleball and short game areas, potentially starting before construction related to the Clubhouse and Patio. Once commenced, construction has been estimated to cover a 10-month period.

• The Golf Pro Shop will move to the Gold Room for a limited period with access via the Terrace.

• Club operations will be normal with the exception of the Lower Level, which will be closed.

• During the closure, food and beverage operations will continue upstairs as normal and there will also be additional outside dining.

• Activities for the Centennial will continue and the Independence Day Celebration will be held.

Plans for the Future

These exciting Phase I renovations, enhancements and additions will become the foundation to continue implementing meaningful improvements. The Club’s leadership team and Long-Term Planning Committee will continue to work with the membership to identify important projects that will enhance the member experience. Looking ahead, several projects can be completed within normal Club annual budgets and out of existing and future cash flow, when possible.

Future Campus-Wide Improvement Considerations

Not in order of priority

• Swimming Pool Complex Improvements

• We are forming a new Aquatics Planning Committee to review and improve upon multiple existing proposed designs. BHCC will be asking for volunteers to join the Committee.

• Racquet Sports:

• Expansion of Paddle Tennis Pickleball Facility & Warming Activities Hut

• Tennis Court Improvements

• Greens Maintenance Facility

• Golf Course Enhancements & Bunkers

• Continued interior improvements to the upper level of the Clubhouse

• Upgrade Furniture in Living Room

A THANK YOU to the following Board and committee members and to the hundreds of members that participated in focus groups or provided comments and relevant experience input over the last 5 years.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2019-2023)

Current President | Brian A. Miller

Tommy Croker

Dan Moss

Shannon Dubke Bruce Oehler

Mary Elizabeth Duke

Michael Friedberg

Bobby Heiser

Jack Hubbard

Donna Kamm

Walter Kelley

Buff MacDonald

Rob McGuckin

Catie Meyer

Steven Pritsios

Reince Priebus

Tom Regnell

John Repetti

Tim Sharman

Dean Shaw

Cindy Simms

Alison Lukes Teer

LONG-TERM PLANNING COMMITTEE

Chair | Bobby Heiser

David Childress

Mark Cole

Jessica Furst Johnson

Rob McGuckin

Derek Norton

Steven Pritsios

Michelle Lusk Mike Sommers

BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE

Chair | Donnie Simpson

Mike Hopke Collin Sorensen

Peter Gartlan Garry Spitzer

CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

Chair | Sam Atari, GM/COO

David Childress Derek Norton

Bobby Heiser Donnie Simpson

Mike Hopke

INTERIOR ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Chair | Shannon Dubke

Allison Goodhart DuShuttle Brian Karlisch

Lynn Hooff Melanie Pyle

Mike Hopke Georgia Sullivan

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair | Roger Brusnahan

David Boyle Michael Friedberg

Tim Buzby Jack Hubbard

Stephen Callahan Dean Shaw

Tom Danaher Nat Spencer

In the 5+ years that this plan has been under development, there have been countless individuals involved—too many to mention without risk of leaving out some important individual contributors. We thank all who have volunteered their time serving on the Board of Directors or one of our club committees (in addition to those mentioned above) over the years: Capital Funds Committee, Bylaws, Disciplinary, House and Entertainment, Membership, Nominating, Pool, Racquet Sports, Fitness and the Strategic Planning Committees! Special thanks also to the Club's outstanding Management Team. Without their input and expertise in a myriad of areas, Phase I would not be where it is today and where we hope it will go with a vote of support from the Active Membership. Thank you all!

Question & Answer

Q: IS OUR CLUB PLACING ITSELF AT FINANCIAL RISK?

A: No. The Club is currently in a healthy financial position with $4.25 million of cash on hand after operating and capital fund reserves and $1,775,000 million in receivables from new member initiation balances being paid. Additionally, the Member Investment Plan allows the Club to fund the project without taking on additional long term debt. When we were developing the financial plan, we took a conservative approach to the number of new members and attrition. While there is risk with any project of this magnitude, the Board and management are comfortable with the financial undertaking described in this guide.

Q: WHAT IS THE TIMELINE TO BEGIN PHASE I, IF APPROVED?

A: The timing of Phase I will be contingent upon weather and permits, with certain components, such as the Pickleball and short game areas, potentially starting before construction related to the Clubhouse and Patio. Once commenced, construction has been estimated to cover a 10-month period.

Q: WHO WILL OVERSEE THE CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT?

A: The Project Manager Jim Wilson of JFW Project Management and the General Manager Sam Atari in conjunction with the Construction Committee. The construction company is Utica Contracting and the architect is Michael Foster of MTFA architects. Monthly reports, unless matters require more frequent reporting, will be provided for the Board of Directors.

Q: WHEN DOES THE BOARD ANTICIPATE COMPLETING LATER PHASES OF THE CLUB’S LONG RANGE PLAN?

A: Before we can address any additional long range plans, we must complete the Lower Level Project. Upon completion, we will turn our attention to the projects highlighted on page 18 out of existing cash flow.

Q: HOW WILL THE PROPOSED MEMBER INVESTMENT PLAN IMPACT THE INITIATION FEE?

A: Upon approval of the Phase I, the initiation fee for an Active Full member will increase from $90,000 to $100,000. Subsequent membership classes will increase at the same percentage.

Q: WAS THE CHEF INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN AND LAYOUT OF THE LOWER LEVEL KITCHEN? DOES HE FEEL CONFIDENT THE PROPOSED KITCHEN WILL ADDRESS CURRENT AND FUTURE DEMANDS?

A: Yes. The Chef and his culinary team have been involved in the design, layout and equipment selection of the kitchen. Knowing that demand on the kitchen will continue to increase over time, and that we are in the process of developing plans to expand outdoor dining areas, the new kitchen was designed to meet current and future demands and evolve with member dining habits and culinary trends. Additionally, the Club engaged an outside consultant to assist with the design.

Q: WILL THE NEW KITCHEN BE BIG ENOUGH TO EXPAND DINING OUTLETS IN THE FUTURE?

A: Yes. The additional space, modern equipment and functional layout will allow the Club to expand indoor and outdoor dining options to meet the demands of future generations of Belle Haven members.

Q: WILL THERE BE ANOTHER ASSESSMENT/INVESTMENT REQUIRED FOR FUTURE PROJECTS?

A: Currently, there are no planned future assessments. However, through member input and long term planning, a project could arise that requires an assessment.

Q: WILL ALL MEMBERS PAY THE SAME ASSESSMENT?

A: Each member category will pay the assessment as prescribed for their membership

Q: WHEN WILL THE CLUB REFUND THE MEMBER DEBENTURES?

A: Consistent with the letter sent to Membership in 2008, debentures will be refunded between 2023 and 2028.

PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE TO SANDRA SAWIN AT SSAWIN@BELLEHAVENCC.COM, OR SCAN THE QR CODE TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS. ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED EITHER IN ADVANCE OF OR DURING THE TOWN HALL MEETING.