Waterlefe opens its new annex

WATERLEFE — As Franklyn Dickson walks through the Waterlefe River Club, his voice rings with excitement as he highlights each new detail — paintings by Waterlefe artists in the front lobby, carpet tiles in the dining area to make for easy replacement, a permanent dance floor, and an expanded bar, among other features.

In just more than a week, he and other members of the Waterlefe Master Property Owners Association Board will show off the community’s newest asset — a 2,000-square-foot, two-level addition.

“The buzz in the community is unbelievable,” Dickson said. “People can’t wait.”

On Thanksgiving Day, the renovated River Club dining area will serve nearly 200 guests over two seatings.

The River Club then will close before its soft opening Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 and its grand opening celebration Dec. 6. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the grand opening, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m.

Dickson said the MPOA began considering an addition to the River Club building about two years ago as a way to consolidate its operations. The finance and accounting staff and property management were located in an offsite trailer.

As the lease for that building readied to expire, board members vetted their options. They first considered a 1,400-square-foot, two-level addition.

But, at the urging of a group of residents, who hoped to see money spent on something for residents, as well, the board expanded the project to about 2,000-square feet.

With the change, the MPOA moved all administrative offices, except those for the club, office and food and beverage managers, and storage to the first floor. The renovated dining room also has a permanent dance floor.

The upstairs portion of the addition also includes a new members-only room that can be used for meetings and other activities.

Construction on the roughly $500,000 project began in June.

Dickson said savings from combining administrative offices, combining phone and electric bills, reducing insurance costs and eliminating fees for storage, for example, will pay the cost of the 10-year business loan.

“We can save a lot over 10 years,” he said. “This is self financing.”

Dickson said the board also expects to generate more business as a result of the bar’s expansion, which now includes a new bar menu, and more dining area space.

The Waterlefe River Club is owned and managed by the MPOA. The facility, although used primarily by residents of Waterlefe, is open to the public for business.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].