Camp Creek New amenities are taking shape at Watersound Club.

A Vision IS TAKING SHAPE

Amenity renovation and expansion continues to delight

Written By PRATT FARMER

Someone once said, “little by little becomes a lot.” That is certainly the case at Watersound Club. Only a couple of years ago, The St. Joe Company announced a major amenity expansion adjacent to Camp Creek Golf Course, as well as enhancements to the course itself. That progress is becoming more visible every day, most evidenced by the re-grassing, heavy pruning of undergrowth around various spots and total transformation of the golf course.

As part of the total upgrade, Watersound Club’s Golf Performance Center opened in early April. Providing a more technical approach to helping golfers improve their game, the center has already received many positive comments from Members. Over the past few months, to support the infrastructure, approximately 4 miles of new paved road has been laid, along with curbing and gutters — more evidence that the best is yet to come.

The Watersound Club expansion is beginning to take shape with the planned Wellness Center, pool, poolside dining venue and kids club now all under construction. Lying just east of the clubhouse, plans for the Wellness Center place a great deal of emphasis on group fitness, along with steam rooms, saunas, a lap pool and more, all designed with the Member in mind. Members will find the proposed Wellness Center a place to regenerate, rejuvenate and refresh. The entry lobby will be a welcoming

“Our goal has been to provide a most luxurious space that emanates a subtleness that serves to calm the spirit and invigorate the soul.” — Sarah Harvey,

Interior Designer, The Gettys Group

place that sets the mood for the entire building. Interior designer Sarah Harvey, of the Chicago-based interiors firm The Gettys Group, likens the anticipated reception area to a fivestar resort where cool greens and weathered tile set the tone. “We incorporated colors that celebrate the richness of what one sees all over the property. Our goal has been to provide a most luxurious space that emanates a subtleness that serves to calm the spirit and invigorate the soul,” she says.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of spin classes, the lower-level fitness room will be dedicated to this type of workout. In the spin room, there are plans for a series of tiered platforms, accommodating up to 20 spin cycles. It has been designed with state-of-the-art equipment for classes. Expect the spin class to be an immersive workout. Typically, the lights are changing, there’s loud music, and your mind and body get lost in the exercise. Be sure to arrive at class early, bring a water bottle and a towel and wear a comfortable workout outfit and sneakers.

If spin class isn’t enough exercise, how about a few laps or water aerobics in the pool? Adult Members will

be able to step outside onto a private pool deck to relax, read the latest novel or swim a few laps in the planned adult-only pool. “Our goal with this area has been to create a facility that offers a variety of spaces, all designed according to exceed a Member’s expectations. From sunbathing to relaxing in the shade of a cabana, the wellness pool truly is a very versatile outdoor space that will have great appeal,” says architect Mark Diedrich, AIA, whose Atlanta-based firm KDC Architecture designed the new venues.

Just outside of the future Wellness Center, work on the planned pool complex is underway. A highly anticipated component of the pool complex will be the availability of food and beverage in the nearby planned poolside dining venue. Harvey says the dining venue design harkens back to the old Southern-style roadside BBQ, where there were ample picnic tables, mouth-watering menus on chalkboards and hanging lights. “We were inspired by the roadside BBQ joint that cared more about its delicious food than the furnishings. While we didn’t skimp on the appropriately sourced creature comforts Members would want, we really did design with food and drink in mind,” she says. For those Members wanting to grab a drink at the bar while waiting for a to-go order, there’s ample seating for that as well. Plans call for exposed timber frames and dark wooden floors that will serve to complement the corrugated tin walls.

For those with a competitive spirit, just outside the planned dining venue there is space for several cornhole games beckoning players, young and old, to come over for a toss. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon. At times, Members will just want to sit around to relax and reminisce after a day on the course or an afternoon at the pool. What better way to put a cap to the day than sitting around a firepit as the sun sets, casting rays of light through the tall pine trees? Kids can enjoy

A FULLY EQUIPPED

gym and wellness pool are just a couple of the new amenities that Members can look forward to at Watersound Club.

Our goal with this area has been to create a facility that “ offers a variety of spaces, all designed according to exceed a Member’s expectations. From sunbathing to relaxing in the shade of a cabana, the wellness pool truly is a very “ versatile outdoor space that will have great appeal.

— Mark Diedrich, AIA, Architect

These are artists’ renderings based on current development concepts, which are subject to change without notice. No guarantee is made that the facilities depicted will be built, or, if built, will be of the same type, size or nature as depicted.

s’mores while the adults renew old acquaintances and make new friends. Without a doubt, kids are vital to our community. As a special place for them to gather, make new friends or just hang out, the proposed Kids Club promises to be a very unique place that they will enjoy for years to come. Cozy, casual and comfortable have been the words often used to describe the vision for this facility. Plans call for saturated blue walls to set the tone with textural neutral colored carpet with hints of blue and green, reminding even the kids that this is a very special place. Plans also call for air hockey, foosball and shuffleboard tables. An outside covered patio is also planned with tables and chairs that will allow for dining, board games and, who knows, maybe even homework getting done! “We want this venue to be a place that kids think of as their own,” says Harvey. “It was very important to the design team that we create a space that kept with the style of the club, yet clearly delineates it from the more adult-centric spaces.”

It’s worth noting that adjacent to the Kids Club will be a grassed area, perfect for soccer and lacrosse. Of course, in addition to the golf course, we have just

FIRST CLASS about every other sport covered. Tennis, pickleball, amenities and basketball and bocce take a front row position. This family-friendly activities come together incredible line-up of new amenities — in what is being called “Phase One” — is anticipated to be completed at Watersound in mid-2022. Club. Recognizing that an expansion of this caliber requires special expertise, and as was previously announced to our Members, Manny Belete has joined our team as General Manager of Watersound Camp Creek. “Manny’s previous experience at Palmetto Bluff, Baker’s Bay in the Bahamas and The Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda will provide the leadership and direction required of a topquality resort type community that is Camp Creek,” says Mike Jansen, Vice President of Watersound Club. “We expect that the Guest House, a 75-room inn, will open late next year. This facility will be the central component of Phase Two,” said Belete. The Guest House is being planned as a unique, stylized boutique inn designed to provide a high level of guest services. “Visiting guests will have an option to reserve a room right in the heart of the Club’s amenities,” he said. “We can’t wait to welcome Members to all of these new amenities once they are complete” said Jansen. “We believe that with these additions, Watersound Club will offer a Member experience unlike anywhere else.”