Future Plans & Investment

It was always our intention to limit the membership and we are now very close to this. Soon membership will only be made available if and when an existing member decides to leave the club. The main reason for this is that we need to allow a period of time for the membership to re-balance. Since the club only re-opened in June 2010 everyone at the moment is effectively a new member. We also wish to ensure that all members enjoy a quality experience. Finally we need to be mindful of the intended improvements.

We believe that the time and care we have devoted to planning the next stage of improvements with our designers and engineers will ensure limited disturbance. Although the layout differs slightly from the original plan, the works will now deliver the same high quality facility in a shorter timeframe and with less inconvenience all round.

A further £500,000 will be invested in to the club between May 2012 and June 2013. There will be a brand new reception area, as well as larger changing rooms. We are also intending to build two more indoor tennis courts and hopefully complete the power walking track.

There will be minimum disturbance during the improvements.

The Improvement Schedule:

May 2012: Power Walking Track, during the summer we will progressively extend this going forward, the track has opened up 22 acres of woodland to the members for power walks, jogging or just a casual amble through our wonderful woodland setting. You will find the start of this track adjacent to courts three and four. Please feel free to explore.

May 2012 – March 2013: The development of two additional covered courts:

Tennis: - The Club appointed a fantastic new Head Coach Bob Clark in March of 2011 and since that time Bob has rapidly improved the clubs coaching and social tennis programme. Wickwoods now offers one of the most comprehensive, progressive and exciting adult tennis programmes suited to all abilities. Many members enjoy playing under the air-dome courts during the winter season which is in place from early September through to early April, between May 2012 and March 2013 we will be building an additional 2 indoor courts. The use of all these facilities is included in the membership along with a free induction or review. Just contact reception who will be able to advise you further.

 May - August 2012: Extension and refurbishment of the changing rooms, providing a generous environment with plenty of locker space. There will be a little interruption during the works however the facilities will remain fully open throughout.

August 2012: Further extension of “Your Spa” treatment suite providing an additional two treatment rooms and rest area, providing an environment in which you can truly relax and enjoy the various treatments on offer. Keep an eye out for the various promotions available on a day to day basis at reception.

September 2012: New reception area to the health club, this new reception area will help us to provide members a more efficient service in terms of being able to access the facilities and booking courts, classes, treatments and inductions. A new software program will enable members to book many facilities online as well as directly with reception.

General Ongoing: - Constant upgrades to furnishings will be made over the coming months as we continue to establish new levels of comfort around the club for our members and their guests' enjoyment.

Both the planning and private funding for all these works are now fully in place and we are keen to complete in the shortest possible timeframe. However, since the planned improvements are major, a balance will always have to be struck between speed and disturbance to the membership. The performance of specialist suppliers and contractors is critical in this respect as are factors outside our control, such as the weather. The above timescales must therefore be seen as provisional.

Reassuringly, the improvements will be controlled by The Hunter Group, a company related to the one which owns Wickwoods. This should ensure smooth progress. For further information see www.thehuntergroup.co.uk

A revised floor-plan showing the newly intended layout is on display outside the gym as well as on our website under "Future improvements".

We will of course keep the membership fully informed regarding progress and look forward to the opening of each new area in turn. Once completed, we are confident that these works will establish Wickwoods as the premier Country Club on the South Coast.

Should you have any particular questions, observations or concerns then please email me directly at lg@wickwoods.co.uk