GENERAL MANAGER

General Manager’s Log

by: Rhett J. Robicheaux, CCM

55

The humid summertime air is upon us and with that come the afternoon showers and storms. Regardless of weather conditions St. Petersburg is still the place to be with so much to do! Here at the Club, you have many options to enjoy the summer sun or cool a/c indoors. As of August 9th I will have been here as your General Manager for one year – wow, how time sails by when you’re having fun in the sun!

The Strategic plan is complete with action plans in place to be completed by both the management team and our leadership. Here are the following areas that will be addressed over the next several months and years ahead:

■ Facilities/Master Plan, Financial/Five-year operational plan and twenty-year capital plan ■ Services and Programs, Staffing/Needs & Membership/Process ■ Governance/Practices, Communications and Technology - Internal & External

We currently have two dock projects in for permitting phases – the Sailing Center and Main Docks. We feel optimistic that both will be approved, and both will better serve our membership. More to come on each of these projects soon. The Club’s Annual shutdown is right around the corner. These weeks give the staff a needed break and allow us to also tackle a few repairs and maintenance around the Club. In addition, this is the time where our Management team can reflect on all the things we have done well this past season and what we can improve upon in the near fiuture.

Moving forward you will notice some significant changes with our Food and Beverage operations beginning with a new “Tiki Time” menu and an “Island Time” menu. The Tiki Time menus will be for quick orders such as pizza, Cuban sandwiches, paninis, hot dogs, and salads. The Island Time menus will feature more of your traditional dine-in menu options. Grille 1909 Menus will be changing as well, and we will include more specialty desserts.

Master Plan Update – We are working with a planning company to develop “Good – Better – Best” designs for all of our facilities. These potential plans will be presented to the Membership in October at the Annual Meeting. Final presentations on facility upgrades will be presented in 2023.

What does this mean? – Where does our Club want to be in 5, 10, 15 years? Bottom line it comes down to money in most members minds. But is that the way we should really be looking at it? We are embarking on one of the biggest initiatives that the Club has faced in some time. The decisions we make over the next several months will affect the Club’s direction for years to come. Look around and see what’s happening in the Private Club World, then look and see what’s happening in and around St. Petersburg. If I were a betting man (I’m not) I would bet and predict that St. Petersburg will continue its growth and with that growth will come many more new families and a caliper of members we want and need for many years to come. The Vinoy is in construction mode, The Don Beach Side has gone through massive renovations, and new high-rises all around us as we sit here with an aging facility dying for some love and upgrades. I ask for the entire Membership be open minded as the plan develops and think about the overall impact these changes can make on the future trajectory of this fine Club. In the end you will see a "Good – Better – Best" plan with all the details, cost, and timelines so that an educated and thoughtful decision can be made.

In closing, it’s been a great first year here at the Club, my family and I are grateful for the opportunity and feel very comfortable calling St. Petersburg our home! For those of you who summer up north, are traveling, or sticking it out here in St. Pete have a safe and great summer!

Cheers Rhett J. Robicheaux, CCM

General Manager, COO