After processing over $100 million in sales for the fourth consecutive year in 2015, Quail West announced its members have approved and financed a capital improvement plan to enhance the community’s clubhouse, common areas and golf operations. Budgeted at a cost of approximately $30 million, the enhancements are designed to meet the needs and changing lifestyle characteristics of Quail West’s growing membership. The planned enhancements reflect the community’s mission to be the premier private residential country club community in Southwest Florida. The project is poised to begin in the second quarter of 2016. The enhancements will unfold over 24 months with minimal disruption to Quail West Golf and Country Club’s daily operations.
“This a member-initiated, member-drive amenity enhancement plan that reflects our membership’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of the community and its facilities,” said Board President Dr. Craig Smith. “Quail West is acknowledged as a club that is inclusive and a great place to live and enjoy life. The enhancements will make the clubhouse an even more highly preferred destination where our residents and members can enjoy a lifestyle that includes casual and formal indoor and outdoor dining, a world-class fitness center, a glass-enclosed indoor heated pool, and a salon and spa. The golf course enhancements will further Quail West’s legacy of offering Southwest Florida’s best golf experience. The long term value of what we’re undertaking cannot be overstated and it will be completed with minimal disruptions to our daily operations.”
Enhancements to the clubhouse will occur in two phases with the first phase expected to begin in second quarter. Projected to be completed by the end of 2016, phase I will include the construction of a 12,000 square feet standalone two-story fitness facility with cardio and weight rooms, a Pilates studio, a spinning room and TRX personal training technology. The new fitness center will connect to the existing glass-enclosed indoor heated pool and to the clubhouse.
Phase I will also include significant enhancements to the second floor of the clubhouse, including an expansion of the kitchen that will enhance service to the Mahogany Room formal dining room and to events in the adjacent Ballroom, a redesign of the existing Wine Room, card room and gathering areas that will provide a more open setting and includes a new and more easily accessible bar area.
Phase II will transform the first floor of the existing clubhouse and provide casual spaces where jeans and workout attire are welcomed. Central to phase II is the expansion of the existing Grille Room and its kitchen facilities. The expansion will include new private dining areas, the addition of a new bar area, a significant expansion of the covered and open outdoor dining facilities, new bocce ball courts and an outdoor gazebo bar area, and the development of a covered outdoor space that will open to the glass-enclosed indoor heated pool.
A casual café will replace the golf pro shop on the first floor and offer on-the-go and take-out selections, including coffee, smoothies, salads, bagels, sandwiches, soups and pizzas. The casual café will be available to golfers when making the turn. The café will offer enhanced Wi-Fi and function as a casual cyber café. The community’s spa and salon will be expanded underneath the second floor’s porte-cochere and entry-bridge to offer treatment room views of an existing ground level water feature. A new Pro Shop and golf entrance will be built adjacent to the clubhouse and offer expanded floor space for displaying the latest in golf equipment and attire.
Renovations to Quail West’s two golf courses designed by golf course architect Arthur Hills will address enhancements to the irrigation systems, green complexes, adjacent grass areas and fairways. The emphasis will be on enhancing the playability of the Lakes and Preserve courses. The community’s golf practice area will undergo modifications.
The golf course enhancements will be overseen by J. Drew Rodgers, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects highly regarded for his ability to undertake golf course renovations. Rodgers is familiar with Quail West’s golf courses, having worked with Arthur Hills to design two nine-hole layouts that would later comprise the Lakes Course. Rodgers regards the Preserve course as a layout with great natural beauty.
Enhancements to the Preserve course will begin in April and the course will close as the renovations proceed. The Preserve course is expected to re-open by January 2017. A similar schedule will be implemented for the Lakes Course with working beginning in spring 2017 and the course re-opening by January, 2018.
“The golf experience at Quail West is one of the best in Southwest Florida,” said Smith. “We are positioned to continue that experience even as the individual course enhancements are undertaken, just as we are positioned to ensure our members and residents will continue to enjoy a fulfilling experience throughout the club as the process unfolds. What is gratifying to know is the extent of the members’ commitment to ensuring Quail West continues to be the standard by which gated golf communities in Southwest Florida are measured.”
Quail West will host the joint single-site CBIA-LBIA Parade of Homes January 29 through January 31, and February 5 through February 7. A $5 admission fee will support the LBIA and CBIA foundation.
