Country Club holds its first open meeting in a half dozen years
BY STEPHEN VRATTOS
Photo by Dawn Steinberg
By Manager Mary Anne
Langone’s estimation, it had
been six years since the last
Country Club open meeting, so
it shouldn’t have been a surprise
to anyone, when residents filled
the VIP Room for just such an
event, Wednesday evening, July
12. Board President and newly
elected Country Club Committee
Chair Mario Carmiciano presided,
but quickly ceded the dais, after a
few welcoming remarks, to Board
Treasurer Steve Redlich, who’s
been filling the position since its
predecessor, Mort Gitter, passed
away last year. The Board President
and engineer’s presence, however,
was beneficial on many occasions
throughout the meeting when discussing
such aspects as the planned
expansion/renovation of the VIP
Room.
Joining the two on the august
panel were Men’s Golf Association
President Stan Yoel, Ladies’ Golf
Association President Judy Lev,
Tennis Association President Leo
Tujak and GAP Chair Phyllis
Goldstein. Other notable attendees
who were present to lend their
support and expertise on pertinent
matters included General Manager
Glen Kotowski, Comptroller Robert
Serikstad, Director of Grounds Eric
O’Neill and Golf Pro Bob Guido.
Certainly, the prevailing issue
among resident/members was the
anticipated expansion of the VIP
Room and Redlich wasted no time
addressing it. As with any project
of this magnitude, there is a long
period from gestation to breaking
ground, to ensure its proper handling,
including consideration of
needs, designs, structural planning,
finances and filings for permits.
Redlich was happy to announce the
latter stage was currently underway,
but cautioned that it still would take
approximately two years before
construction started. Since Redlich
is also the Board Treasurer of both
the coop and Country Club, his
involvement as Club Chair the past
year was fortuitous in more easily
budgeting the necessary funds in
NST’s Capital Improvement Plan
to cover the cost of the project
through 2018—2.5 million dollars!
The renovation calls for expanding
the VIP Room over the entire
terrace, pushing back the opposite
walls, and enlarging and upgrading
the kitchen, all of which will
provide tables and seats for an
additional 50 patrons and speed
up food service. Dennis Pariti’s
license to serve concessions in the
space has been extended the two
years leading up to the start of construction.
At that time, he and other
prospective licensees will be given
the chance to bid for the license.
It’s important to understand the
VIP Room IS NOT a restaurant, but
rather a club lounge/community
area for members to gather, relax,
enjoy a drink, snack or meal, as well
as a venue for presenting entertainment,
lectures, meetings, etc. The
Country Club issues a license for
concessions and is responsible for
footing the entire bill of any renovations,
unlike Towers Restaurant
whose proprietors Buffy, Spiros and
Angelo, are lessees who have spent
millions out of their own pockets
to renovate the restaurant and
catering hall.
GAP (Gym/Aerobics/Pool)
Chair Goldstein acknowledged
the Phase I completion and fine job
done on the outdoor pool, which
opened on schedule. Phase II will
begin in the fall after Labor Day
upon the outdoor pool’s seasonal
closing and will include renovating
the handicap ramp and bringing it
up to code and expanding the golf
course-side of the pool to allow
for an additional line of loungers.
Speaking of which, next season the
Country Club will begin replacing
the old loungers. Goldstein and her
committee members have begun the
process of seeing what’s available
to determine the best option for
the club.
Meanwhile, Phase II of the
indoor pool renovation began
once her al fresco sister opened.
The beams of the cathedral dome
have been completed and painted a
deep blue to complement the walls
and work on the spa is underway,
which will include marble dusting
and new tile installation. This final
phase is on schedule and will be
completed to coincide with the fall
closing of the outdoor pool.
Free Guest Pool days began
on July 6 and will continue every
Monday, Thursday and Friday
until August 25. Only 2 guests are
allowed per club member and the
visitors are not allowed to use the
VIP Room or other club facilities,
nor can they be resident, non-members
of North Shore Towers.
Goldstein also reminded everyone
that lifeguards are not to be
bothered with any perceived infractions,
such as eating or smoking by
the pool, nor should they be asked
to help with the moving of loungers
or aiding individuals. “Their eyes
should be on the pool. That’s what
they’re paid for!”
Men’s Golf Association President
Yoel spoke of the continued growth
of the men’s golf membership and
overwhelmingly positive reviews of
the four renovated holes and new
GPS system in the golf carts. It’s
this kind of continued progress,
which will lure new members and
put NST on the map as a vibrant,
lively place to play and live. He
announced plans to begin the
Herb Greenberg Memorial Golf
Tournament next season to honor
the former Association’s president,
who passed away last year. The
tournament will raise money for
the American Cancer Society (ACS)
and become part of the Men’s Golf
side of the annual Babes & Guys
event.
Yoel’s Ladies’ Golf counterpart,
Lev, told attendees becoming the
Ladies Golf President was “the
proudest thing I’ve ever done;” no
small revelation from such a successful
business woman. Perhaps,
her success with this year’s Babes
& Guys (see story, pages 12–13) has
something to do with it. Coming
up in August is the ever-popular
Ladies’ Member Guest day, once
again spearheaded by Pat Tulchin.
“Pat’s doing it again this year,
so I know it will be successful,”
Lev said. She closed announcing
her intention on rewriting of the
Association’s constitution at the
closing dinner to allow non-players
to join and participate in Ladies
Golf functions so long as they pay
their dues.
President Leo Tujak reminded
all the Tennis Association is inclusive
of both men and women, and
for years has allowed non-players
to join to enjoy the camaraderie
and several parties the Tennis
Association throws each season,
such as the 4th of July tournament,
USTA Jr. tournament and Potluck
Dinner which raises money for the
ACS as part of the Babes & Guys
event.
The lively question and answer
session, which concluded the
meeting, addressed concerns
with the impending VIP Room
expansion, golf course and cart
improvements, and adding more
tables, chairs and umbrellas to the
upper pool level.
Night Club
Barbara Leonardi has a question
August 2017 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 3