MEMBERSHIP MATTERS MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
From the General Manager
Dear Members,
It is hard to believe that August is upon us, and it won’t be long before the kids will be heading back to school Our backto-school hours will start on Tuesday, August 14th. I’m pleased to announce that we have secured lifeguard staff to keep the pool open the two weekends following Labor Day Stay tuned for a detailed schedule of operating hours
In July, we had the pleasure of welcoming two new Junior Legacy Members, Mr Clay Hundley and Miss Anne Czerwonka As you know, Legacy memberships are crucial for maintaining generational continuity within our Club. The Board has recently updated our Junior Membership category to include individuals aged 24-29 This membership comes with a $500 non-refundable initiation fee and $150 monthly dues If you have a son or daughter interested in joining and they fall within this age range, they qualify as Legacy candidates, reducing their initiation fee to just $250! Please contact me for more information
Financially, June was an exceptional month for us, with a net income of $69k, exceeding our budget by $12k Our revenue was $24k over budget and $51k higher than June of 2023, thanks to increased dock fees, banquet sales, and the excellent weather we enjoyed in June Your active participation and use of the Club play a significant role in our financial success
Our culinary team has been creating exceptional weekly specials, offered Wednesday through Friday, including the always-popular Tuesday night Fried Chicken special These specials will continue, so please keep an eye on your weekly emails! Additionally, we ' ve introduced Friday night Pavilion specials, featuring live music to pair with our delicious offerings
Exciting news Chef Godsey and his team are currently revamping our Clubhouse menu, with a new version set to be unveiled in late summer or early fall We are also thrilled to welcome Mallory Windham as our new Dining Room Manager Mallory brings a wealth of expertise that promises to elevate your dining experience.
Summer is far from over, and we have many exciting events on the horizon Join us for our Back-to-School Pool Party on August 11th, featuring a DJ, a giant inflatable slide, poolside games, and a visit from Tikiz Shaved Ice and Ice Cream Don't miss the best party of the summer, the Hot August Dock Party on Saturday, August 17th. This year ' s theme is "Sailing Through the Decades," with live music by Wax Factory, late-night snacks, and a prize for the best costume!
Members, I sincerely thank you for your continued support The future looks incredibly promising, and together, we are set to achieve remarkable things!
Warm regards,
Sarah Russell General Manager
srussell@louisvilleboatclub com
From the River Captain
Greetings from the Docks!
As summer ’ s final days approach, we find ourselves transitioning from poolside relaxation to the serene joys of river life With the arrival of cooler temperatures, there’s no better time to experience the beauty of our docks and the river Fall offers perfect conditions for river cruises, leisurely evenings with friends on the dock, and breathtaking views of Louisville's sunrises and sunsets
Mark your calendars for August 10th, when we’ll be heading up the river to “Cow Cove” a familyfriendly spot past 18 Mile Island Whether you have a boat or need a ride, we’d love for you to join us for a memorable afternoon on the water The northern stretch of the river is truly spectacular, and this is a great chance to explore it with fellow members
Our dock party is scheduled for August 17th This annual event is always a highlight of the season, so make sure to join us for an evening of fun and camaraderie
Additionally, we ’ re excited to host a tailgate on the docks on the afternoon of November 2nd, weather permitting Come cheer on UK and U of L! The televised game times are TBD
Looking ahead, we ’ re gearing up for the 2025 boating season and reviewing our boating programs The sustainability of our club relies on the continuous influx of new, enthusiastic members and sailors to support our docks Programs for boating of similar quality to the outstanding rackets programs we currently offer are a part of our heritage and will increase our membership
I would like us to consider expanding our programs to include boating education, sailing, and rowing for youth and adults These activities, which would align with typical offerings at other Yacht Clubs (did I mention that we are a registered Yacht Club?), are offerings that cannot be found at other Louisville clubs Your ideas are invaluable as we establish a river committee with regular meetings starting in September If you ’ re interested in contributing, please reach out and get involved
Wishing you fair winds and following seas,
Martin Low River Captain
Dear Members,
The Board and our General Manager have been compiling a list of needs and wants to help shape the strategic vision for the future of the Louisville Boat Club Last month we shared what has been accomplished for the first half of the year Most recently, the club has replaced two of our A/C units, a 5-ton unit that covers the Court Room and a 15-ton unit that covers the Crow’s Nest/bar area, at the costs of $12,000 and $32,600 respectively Both of these units have a 15-20 year life cycle and you will feel the difference the next time you dine at the club
This month I want to share what the future looks like Over the next several years, the Board and club management have identified the following as our top priorities:
Replace the elevator
Resurface the floor in the kitchen
Replace remaining HVAC units for the clubhouse
Replace the roof on the clubhouse
Replace the roof on the squash building
Upgrade computers to Windows 11
Update website
Re-plaster the baby pool
Upgrade pool furnishings
Add second diving board and platform (2nd stand was purchased previously this year)
Tunnel pier dock rehab
Improvements to the deckhouse
Parking lot sealing and new striping
Create a Pickle Pavilion with shade, seating, and area to host events
Replace kitchen walk-in refrigerators
Overhaul of the pool pump room equipment
The Board has decided to change the Capital Fee from a quarterly to a monthly payment schedule, moving away from considering an assessment as a one-time solution Currently, members pay $150 per quarter, with $100 of the June fee allocated to the Flood Reserve Fund Starting October 1, 2024, the new Capital Fee will be $60 per month, an increase of $10 per month compared to the current rate Additionally from April 1, 2025, an extra $15 per month will be added The $100 annual Flood Reserve Fund fee will continue to be collected in June
By increasing the Capital Fee instead of raising dues or implementing an assessment, the funds collected will be used exclusively for capital improvements, replacements, and repairs, as outlined in our bylaws These funds are currently and will continue to be deposited into a separate "capital reserve " account This approach has and will ensure that the current and future Boards will allocate these funds for the maintenance and enhancement of our aging facilities allowing the club to build reserves for major expenses as they arise
As a member, you have the option to make further enhancements to the club through the Legacy Fund The purpose of this fund is to promote, raise, and manage funds from members for specific capital projects that will enhance the offerings provided to current and future members
How does it work?
A member(s) recommends a project to either the Legacy Fund President or the LBC President
If the member agrees to be the “Sponsor” he/she should provide a timeline and budget estimate The “Sponsor” will be responsible for heading up the fundraising
If the Legacy Board and the LBC Board approve, the project may move forward
Please note - donations to the Legacy Fund are NOT - repeat NOT - tax deductible
What sort of Projects?
The indoor tennis lights and Bocce ball courts were the first two Legacy Fund projects The funding came from individual member donations (not from the normal LBC budget) No promotion here but projects might include:
Improvements to the Swimming area
Improvements to the Tennis courts
Improvements to Casual Dining
Improvements to the “Living Room”
Debt reduction
Any other good idea
If you have a project that would be appropriate for the Legacy Fund, please reach out to me or Pete Rutledge, Legacy Fund President
And finally, there is another thing you as a member can do help us grow our membership Please share LBC with your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and bring them to LBC for a tour
As a long-time Club member, prior Board member, and now President of the LBC, I am extremely excited for the vision and direction of our Club Sound fiscal planning keeps us prepared for unexpected expenses and frees up other revenue for small repairs and amenities
Sincerely,
Michelle Black White Louisville Boat Club President president@louisvilleboatclub com
SQUASH UPDATE
JUNIOR REPORT:
Mariam Dodd, one of our Zenith Academy players, graduated from the academy this month and has been recruited to play squash at St Lawrence University We held a fun party for her and all the academy players and the membership at LBC wish her the very best of luck on her new journey into college squash Congratulations Mariam!
SOBHY EXHIBITION AND CAMP:
This past weekend LBC welcomed Amanda Sobhy (highest world ranking #3) and Sabrina Sobhy (highest world ranking #13) the female pros held a 2 day squash camp for juniors and then played a fantastic exhibition match in front of a full house We also held a fun question and answer session in the ballroom after the match Prior to the pro match we held a curtain raiser match with our very own zenith academy player Kate Grissom (ranked 78 in the girls under 19’s in the USA) playing Aanvi Anand from Cincinnati (ranked 47 in the girls under 19’s in the USA) The pros also played some of our patrons at hardball doubles and our members had a blast playing with the ladies Both Amanda and Sabrina are true ambassadors for female squash in the USA and it was a pleasure to have them here at the club They fully enjoyed the Louisville squash community
Lee Scott Director of Squash
Welcome to August, Racqueteers and Picklers!
Summer may be nearly over, but things are just heating up on the LBC courts We had a great July, filled with lots of tennis and pickleball. We had an incredible 4th of July Round Robin that not even the weather could keep us off the courts Our Margarita Tennis Mixer was also a blast We braved the hot and humid weather during play and finished the night off with some refreshing, cold margaritas July also saw the start of our brand-new Saturday Dink and Drink Pickleball League Two, full hours of fun and competitive pickle play with music and cold refreshing drinks Looking forward to this month, here is what is happening on the courts
Tennis
This month we will be holding the Kentucky State Open from August 9th through August 11th. We will have multiple events including men ' s and women ' s open singles, doubles and mixed doubles Men's and Women's 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's 70's and 80's singles and doubles and Men's and Women's NTRP 3 5, 4 0, 4 5, 5 0 singles and doubles There will be a player party at the LBC pool pavilion on August 9th To sign up, please scan the QR code on the flyer
In August, we will also look to start the fall session of our Junior Tennis Development programming We will look to continue many of the same junior clinics in the after-school time slots Please keep an eye out for more information on clinic days and times.
Pickleball
The month of August will bring plenty of pickleball play We will continue our Dink and Drink Saturday Pickleball league throughout the month of August We will also be introducing a new beginner pickleball play starting on Wednesday nights from 5-6 PM This program is perfect for beginners looking to learn the game and play with others of the same level. If you are interested, please RSVP for the Wednesday beginner pickleball play in the Pro Shop.
We are looking forward to an exciting August on the tennis and Pickleball courts Hope to see you out there!
Travis Curran Director of Tennis/Pickleball/Platform Tennis
FITNESS SPOTLIGHT
Featuring Bobby Cooper
LBC member, Bobby Cooper, is a Lieutenant Colonel / Assistant Chief for the Louisville Fire Department He explains that a physically demanding career has required a commitment to fitness Cooper credits the LBC fitness center with helping him fulfill his commitment to a healthy lifestyle
Heart attacks, strokes, cancer, suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder, and high blood pressure are top health threats facing the fire service today Cooper has seen colleagues directly impacted by these health issues, and understands that a focus on fitness is crucial for longevity in an incredibly rewarding career He said there is no program or product that can do what consistent exercise can do for a firefighter, or any other professional
Cooper explains that an effective exercise program improves physical performance and reduces injury, which prolongs a career Exercise improves mobility, increases strength and helps maintain a healthy weight Exercise helps combat weight gain and diabetes, helps manage heart disease, and control blood pressure
Cooper adds that firefighters have stressful jobs, so managing stress and anxiety are essential. Regular exercise can help you relax and reduce symptoms associated with anxiety. Exercise and fitness can make you more resilient, better able to withstand, recover, and grow in the face of stressors and demands Resilience allows a person to adapt quickly in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or any significant source of stress
When he’s not at work, Cooper enjoys time spent with his wife, Meredith, and their three daughters, Whitney (16), Natalie (12), and Emily (9) Cooper jokes that keeping up with the girls is his toughest workout routine Together they enjoy family trips, attending each other’s sporting events, and travel, as well as time with their dogs- a German Shepherd named Rosie and a Boston Terrier named Bruce
FINANCE SNAPSHOT
Dear Members:
It is with great pleasure (and some confusion) that I intend to resume providing regular financial updates in the LBC monthly newsletter When I first began as Treasurer, everyone said they wanted to know more about the Club’s financial situation So I gave it my all to write informative yet interesting discussions about the state of the club I wrote about the LBC’s structure and tax status, extolled the club’s virtues, articulated ways Members could make the club stronger financially, poked fun at my weight with respect to pickleball, and made an analogy to nurturing a banzai tree by simulating winter in the fridge I made it through 2 updates before I was told it was too boring and no one wanted to read it anymore
Nevertheless, it always makes me happy when Members take an interest in understanding and supporting the club financially, so I am glad to have another opportunity As a refresher, LBC is a 501(c)(7) non-profit social club, so we pay no taxes and allocate earnings back into capital and other improvements for our collective enjoyment However, we are also not permitted to overtly market the use of our facilities for non-member banquets and events, which are among our most financially beneficial opportunities As Members, I likely don’t need to remind you of everything that makes the club great, however, these include the best racquet facilities in the city, a beautiful pool and pavilion, boat slips, a huge clubhouse with fitness and locker rooms, a great restaurant and bar, and a friendly and dedicated staff committed to helping us have a good time
In addition to the energy and quality improvements that our club manager Sarah Russell and her staff have brought to the club, we have also experienced an improvement in expense management and overall financial discipline I am pleased to report that our EBITDA (cash earnings) margin has improved by close to 4% of revenue from 8 9% in YTD 2023 to 12 7% in YTD 2024 For a club like ours, that is a really big deal. Following a record month (since I have been Treasurer) in June in both revenue and earnings we now sit at $332k in EBITDA for the 9 months of the year, which is more than we made in all of 2023 We have positive net income even after non-cash depreciation expense and we ’ ve spent $137k less in capital expenditure in YTD 2024 than in YTD 2023 We have a strong balance sheet with total assets of $3 6 million vs liabilities of $1 2 million, and $1 4 million of Member equity We will refinance our long-term debt of close to $1 6 million in the spring
So what is not going as well as we had hoped?
Revenue is close to 3% below budget and slightly below the same period in 2023 As Members, we all bear responsibility for keeping the club an active and engaging social setting What can you do to help?
Use the club! It may seem obvious, but the overhead burden of operating a private restaurant and facilities is significantly reduced if Members are regular supporters
Encourage non-member friends to consider joining Monthly dues are the lifeblood of the club While we have a great and healthy group of Members now, we could use a few more to soften the down months and fund new projects
Recommend the club to non-members for private events Banquet events like weddings and private parties have an outsized positive impact on our financial results Although we can’t advertise for them due to our non-commercial status, there is no reason we can’t promote the club individually out in the community
Propose ideas and contribute to legacy projects The Membership has great ideas to improve the club, and the board and management are always open to hearing about and implementing ideas with strong Member support Not every idea can be funded by ongoing operations, so recommend and stay on the lookout for legacy project opportunities and contribute to those you believe in
Until next time,
Chris Schaefer Louisville Boat Club CFO
AROUND THE CLUB
AletterfromthePast-PresidentandFitnessDirector,
In my many Board meetings over the years, we constantly discuss what is LBC’s “identity” As the Country Club landscape across Louisville has changed over the years this is an important and positive discussion to have I stumbled across a Country Club in North Carolina that is very similar to LBC The Club has only been around since 1961 and “prides” themselves on rackets sports (tennis, pickle and padel), swimming and fitness No golf They promote themselves as a Country Club with the “fittest” membership in the country Hmmmm
No one likes to see the flash emails from our Club with the subject line of “ In Memoriam ” , but I hope you really take the time to read them not only for the Member’s story, but their age The majority of the time, our members have lived into their 90s! They did not recently join the Club to start playing bridge and dine in the Crow’s nest No, they have graced our tennis courts, swam laps, and enjoyed the river for decades Most did not also have the opportunity to enjoy our fitness facility, pickle, and squash courts as we do today
What’s my point? I challenge anyone to find a fitter membership with an extraordinary history of a healthy lifespan I’ve been a witness to it for 50 years and it still amazes me Why be a member of the LBC? The average life expectancy age in Louisville is 74 years (study in 2021) and falling Is there something in our water?!?!
If any Member feels there is a “barrier” for them to be involved in any of our racket sports, a fitness class, or using the fitness facility, please contact Sarah, our Manager The pool closes soon, but stay involved this fall and winter Also, please enjoy our first of many Member Spotlights on the Fitness page
LBC > fun/fitness > longevity
-Tom Campbell
Board of Directors
Club Staff
Michelle Black White – President
Henry Kelsey – Vice President & Membership
Chris Schaefer – CFO & Finance
Wayne Wilson – Secretary & River
Tom Campbell – Past President & Fitness
Kate Huff – Director, Swim
Marty McClelland – Director, Racquets & Bocce
Steve McCombs – Director, R I P
Tom Scovil – Director, House
Ginny Tyler – Director, Entertainment
New New Members Members
ContactGeneral Manager,SarahRussell, forMembership Information. Pleasewelcomeournew membersandtheir families!
Mr.WilliamClay Hundley
MissAnne Czerwonka
General Manager - Sarah Russell ext 116
Assistant Manager, Director of Hospitality & Banquets
George Henry ext 111
Director of Finance & Human Resources
Jennifer Kaiser ext 114
Director of Squash - Lee Scott ext 121
Director of Paddle, Pickle & Tennis
Travis Curran ext 123
Housekeeping Supervisor - Connie Bates ext 122
Director of Facilities - Ken Goodlett
Executive Chef - Heber C Godsey IV ext 117
