General Manager's Column

As we start a new year, we look back on all we overcame as an MAC community in 2020. We adapted to ever-changing guidelines for both Clubhouses in the COVID-19 era, and the MAC spirit remained as strong as ever!

The support from our MAC Members was incredible from the very beginning of this pandemic. When we made the very difficult decision to furlough 370 employees with the initial shutdown, Members really stepped up with the Employee Relief Fund, which brought all 370 great assistance in those crazy initial uncertain times.

Months went on and we gradually began to reopen in May as our MAC family of Members eagerly got back using the Club. Member traffic increased through both Clubhouses, and we were able to bring many of our furloughed employees and get back to work. The rest of the summer went well as we started climbing our way back.

Our new fiscal year started in September. Budgeting for the new year was a challenge but so far so good as we have nailed it. We had a solid September, October and start to November, but unfortunately, with the surprise re-shutdown of indoor dining in St. Louis County, we had to furlough the majority of our West Clubhouse food and beverage staff right before the holidays.

But the MAC Members once again showed their spirit of giving by supporting these furloughed employees. The Board of Directors and our human resources department worked together to organize a list of nearly 30 newly furloughed employees who have kids and put together a giving tree. Governor Cheri McLaughlin took the project head-on in conjunction with our Board of Directors, and within half a day of sending the note out to the Board, every one of the names was adopted. All the kids who were affected by this new round of furloughs were able to enjoy a little extra holiday cheer thanks to our Board of Directors. A note was sent out to our Members explaining the situation, and within days an additional $28,000 was raised and divvied up among those families affected.

But the MAC spirit didn’t stop there! At the annual Past Presidents Dinner Dec. 2, 19 of our Past Presidents got together in the Art Lounge to talk about the state of the Club. When someone suggested pitching in additional money for the furloughed employees on behalf of the Past Presidents, they were all in! Our Past Presidents are so generous and loyal to the Club, and we are so grateful for their continued support of the MAC community.

Though we had our ups and downs in 2020, the spirit of the MAC is alive going into 2021 – a year that will surely bring brighter days. With vaccines rolling out across the country, and all of the therapeutics now in play, we can look forward to the MAC and world getting back to some sense of normal in 2021.

Let’s keep our spirits strong and stay healthy as we move into the new year! F

Wally Smith, General Manager Missouri Athletic Club

Though we had our ups and downs in 2020, “ the spirit of the MAC is alive going into 2021 — a year that will surely bring brighter days.”

MAC MEMBERSHIP for your

SECURITY

In the latter months of 2020, several new efforts were implemented to keep Members safer in and around the Downtown Clubhouse. In November and December issues of the Cherry Diamond, we reported that new LEDs had been installed in the parking garage, and additional cameras had been installed throughout the Clubhouse. The Downtown Security Task Force (DSTF) was formed, and further initiatives continue to be explored.

One of these initiatives includes hiring uniformed police officers to greet people and ensure the safety of those walking from the parking garage to the Lucas Street entrance of the Clubhouse, which is the only entrance open at this time. These officers greeted Members and guests at events like Breakfast with Santa, the Jack Buck Sports Awards and the Wine Society’s Holiday Wine Dinner. GM Wally Smith said there has been a great response to having these officers at bigger functions.

Security supervisor Fred Nelson reports that within the area of the Club, there were no crimes reported in the months of October and November, and overall crime in the Downtown St. Louis area is down 19 percent.

Smith surmises this is because of increased efforts in the Downtown community regarding control measures, bike police, the sheriff’s department assisting, along with the traffic control barriers that are in place on several key streets throughout the City.

The MAC administration and DSTF are continuing to explore efforts to maintain the security of the Clubhouse and the area around it. Members are encouraged to come visit and enjoy the variety of amenities available, including dining and fitness facilities.

The Downtown Clubhouse is open and in full operation according to St. Louis City safety protocol.

FROM EASTBOUND I-64: TAKE EXIT 40 FOR 6TH STREET, TURN LEFT ONTO GRATIOT STREET (SIGNS FOR AMERICA’S CENTER/GATEWAY ARCH/LUMIERE PLACE); USE ANY LANE TO TURN LEFT ONTO S 4TH STREET; IN 0.9 MILES, TURN LEFT ONTO LUCAS STREET; IMMEDIATE RIGHT INTO THE MAC PARKING GARAGE. FROM NORTHBOUND I-44: TAKE EXIT 292 FOR LUMIERE PLACE BLVD. TOWARD WASHINGTON AVENUE/ EADS BRIDGE; CONTINUE ONTO LUMIERE PLACE BLVD.; TURN LEFT ONTO WASHINGTON AVENUE; TURN RIGHT ONTO N 4TH STREET; IMMEDIATE LEFT ONTO LUCAS STREET; IMMEDIATE RIGHT INTO THE MAC PARKING GARAGE

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