Latest from Eastman Highlights

Is there a Clubhouse coming down? A look at the Center Evaluation Task Force FAQ’s on Eastman’s Website  reveals the following:

2. Who is on The Center Evaluation Task Force, and what are their qualifications?

The Task Force is composed of eight members: Phil Webber (Chair), Ed Jenik, Rick Karash, Elaine Lascher, Chuck Monahan, David Philippy, Andrea Sodano and John Walters.

(Explanation: Four Board Members and four hand picked members.)

3. What is it going to cost? Will I have to pay an assessment?

The cost to replace, restore and renovate the existing Center has been estimated to be approximately $1,500,000. (This is the low estimate--the high is $5 mill +). These costs encompass the building envelope (exterior walls, roof, windows and doors), electrical, mechanical and plumbing infrastructure, interior spaces and any building code requirements. What, if anything else, does the Community want to do to this facility to make it more enjoyable and more income producing? (More income producing? Is it not losing money now and we are paying the bill?)

This is the next phase for the Task Force, with much input (input but no DIRECT vote) from ALL (??) Community Members. What is the final plan and how it will be implemented? Will it be done all at one time or will it be phased in over a number of years? All of the above issues will affect the final cost of the project. The Capital Improvement Committee (who are these people? There are no names but it consists of the Chairs of most of the other Committees) has included a “Renovate The Center” Project in the Capital Improvements Plan FYE2015-FYE2019, with a place holder of $1,650,000 to cover the renovations required. This cost would be incurred in FYE2015-2016. This is only a place holder for the project that has not yet been defined or approved (APPROVAL? Not required actually-just a marketing term.) Hopefully there will not be a need for a special assessment, but this again has not been decided. (but your capital and operating assessment will surely go up) When the project is approved, (slam dunk because the owners have no vote) the method of financing will be part of that decision.

4. What has happened so far?

The Committee/Community has: (strike Community--when was the community vote on this?)

·      accepted the recommendation from Food & Beverage Task Force to hire a consultant to perform a “building assessment” before doing any major work/renovations;

·      hired Lavallee Brensinger Architects as the consultant for phase 1;

·      briefed the Council in January;

·      provided an update in February Board Happenings;

·      held workshop on April 28 with Council Representatives & Special Place Chairs;

·      posted a full 60-page consultant’s report on the Eastman Members’ website, with cover letter;

·      reviewed community feedback sent to cetf@eastmannh.org; (reviewed but not shared)

·      briefed the Capital Improvement Committee;

·      briefed the Finance & Budget Committee;

·      briefed Special Place Chairs on May 17; (Is this to make sure they urge the Council Reps to vote for it?)

·      provided another update in May Board Happenings;

·      attended 11 Special Place meetings with ~200 attendees (who were at their special place meeting thinking they…..

·      hired Warrenstreet Architects as the consultant for phase 2 (This is the firm that worked with Eastman on the South Cove project.); and

·      briefed the Council at the June meeting

6. What Community feedback have you received to date?

·      Community is concerned about the financial impact of any new projects.

·      Members have expressed a desire that plans for required maintenance of systems and the building go forward to protect the asset (is this not protecting/enhancing the restauranteur’s business)

·      Some Members want to be conservative in selecting what improvements are included in the final plan.

·      They request that we do what is “essential” and not “extravagant.” Many Members are very interested in enlarging the informal dining areas, especially the bar. (Interesting:  ECA members pay about $200K a year to operate a Restaurant and “community leaders” want us to pay more) All Members want to make sure whatever we do, we do it with high quality.

·      Members want to understand the timing and priority of The Center project as it relates to other capital improvement projects that are already or will be in the queue.

·      A frequent question asked is, “Why is so much work needed when the building is only 20 years old?” –(It’s actually 15, but who’s counting--Why indeed, when the last 2 community surveys overwhelmingly wanted walking paths? Maybe because you can’t collect money on a walking path? Which begs the question “Are we running this community for the residents or for the Board, Golf/Country Club members and staff?)

·      Members are looking for more information like this in order to understand the problems that need to be addressed and to have a context for understanding the plan.  (It sounds like people are not behind spending a lot of money)

7. How will a decision be made on what to do?

 The Committee and the architect will be working through a series of Community meetings ("charrettes") to consider needs and opportunities assess willingness to spend money, create alternatives and develop a plan. The architect and their consultants will add specifics, including cost estimates. The resulting plan or plans, and the accompanying financing approach, will be brought to the community, then voted on by the Council and, finally, ratified by the Board for action.

 Our Committee does have a timetable in mind: preliminary plan to the Council in April 2014, Council vote on a final plan and financing in June 2014, and construction starts in Fall 2014. This is our goal and not a definitive requirement. The process for the South Cove project is a good example of Eastman decision making. The plan finally put into action was approved overwhelmingly by the Council and then ratified by the Board. (Will this be approved overwhelmingly by the Council and then ratified by the Board because that is what they do? When was the last time your Council Rep voted your wishes?)