Harbour Ridge Breaks Ground On New Fitness Facility

Pictured left to right: Don Proctor-Owner of Proctor Construction, Tod Mowery-St. Lucie County Commissioner, Joe Shambo-Project Advisory Committee Chair, Jennifer Tamules-Spa/Fitness Director, Brian Idle-President of Peacock & Lewis Architects and Herb Heuchert, President of Harbour Ridge.

Harbour Ridge Breaks Ground On New Fitness Facility

PALM CITY, FL – January 5, 2016 – Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club broke ground today for Lakeside, the new $8.9 million fitness, tennis, swim and salon/spa facility to be completed on the current fitness center site on Gilson Road in St. Lucie County over the next year. The new facility will replace the existing Fitness/Tennis Center and pool, update the tennis courts, add a separate realty office and expand the parking lot.

Club President Herb Heuchert spoke at the groundbreaking saying, “The Board recognized the need for this improved and expanded amenity to our club and moved quickly to accommodate it for our current and future members. We are especially proud to be able to achieve it without a member assessment or any additional long-term debt.”

Among those gathered at the site were Club, Board and staff members, design and construction partners for the project and Commissioner Tod Mowry from the St. Lucie County Planning Commission. “We were especially pleased that the Commissioner attended today to meet the people involved and see first-hand the energy this project will bring to our community here at Harbour Ridge,” said General Manager Michael Salerno.

“This is money well spent,” commented Cesar Trujillo, on-site Keller Williams Project Manager. “Harbour Ridge will reap the benefits of this investment in fitness and wellness for years to come. I feel confident it will attract new, young members looking for the complete package of amenities that can only be found in a country club environment like Harbour Ridge.”

Peacock + Lewis Architects prepared the architectural and interior designs for the new lifestyle center. President Brian Idle said, “With input from the membership, we were able to create a design that will meet the needs of existing members and provide space for growth as the trends in fitness change. The design compliments the casually-elegant characteristic of the Harbour Ridge campus.”
“New construction is often difficult to integrate into an existing environment,” commented Donald Proctor, President/CEO of Proctor Construction who will build Lakeside. “But natural beauty is a trademark of the Harbour Ridge landscape and we expect it to assimilate the new building in a pleasing way.”

“I am especially pleased that the Committee included area to house the full range of salon and spa services as well as fitness,” said Fitness/Spa Director Jennifer Tamules. “That’s what we hear more members want.”

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club is a private, 885-acre community with 695 residences that overlook its two picturesque golf courses, acres of Audubon sanctioned nature preserves and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The Board of Directors, management and staff, along with the members, are all dedicated to maintaining their commitment to financial soundness and stability in an environment which enables them to enrich their quality of life.

For more information on Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, please contact our Membership Office at (772) 873-6013 or l.pahl@hrycc.org.

Ring In the New Year With Harbour Ridge Real Estate

Five, four, three, two , one...Happy New Year!

As 2015 comes to a close, who will you be ringing in the New Year with? Well, at Harbour Ridge Real Estate we will be celebrating with family, friends and neighbors at our Palm City country club on the waters of the beautiful St. Lucie River. Fireworks, noisemakers, champagne, fine dining and music will lead revelers into 2016 with dancing and celebration. Why not join us at Harbour Ridge Real Estate!

Harbour Ridge Real Estate

At Harbour Ridge Real Estate we're resolving to make this year the very best for our residents. Walk the scenic sidewalks and trails of natural Florida landscape at its finest. Breezy palm trees and low-hanging branches shade the banks of the St. Lucie River as sunrises and sunsets set its crystal waters aflame daily. Bring the whole family to our Harbour Ridge Real Estate ecological jewel on Florida's Treasure Coast - including your furry friends. With a fully-equipped dog park and pet-friendly establishments, we make sure to keep our grounds inviting for every member of the family.

Swing into the New Year on one of Harbour Ridge Real Estate's world-class golf courses or tennis courts. Both the River Ridge Course and the Golden Marsh Course offer two unique styles of play that's fun, yet challenging for any level of golfer. And for the tennis lover, an afternoon on one of our ten Har-Tru clay courts provide the perfect facility to challenge your neighbors. The tennis facilities at Harbour Ridge Real Estate offer residents training programs from the elite Peter Burwash International training program to keep you focused on your New Year's tennis resolution.

Yes, 2016 is looking bright at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club Located in the heart of the beautiful Treasure Coast of Florida, we can't wait for you to plan your trip today and come be our guest.

Spend Your Winters on The Golden Marsh in Palm City Florida

The holidays are just around the corner and things up north are moving from chilly to frozen. Time to head south for the winter. Why not spend a little time where the fairways are greener and where water hazards come with a few more teeth. Palm City was just rated as the #1 place to retire in the United States - and for good reason. Average temperatures throughout the summer breeze in at a low of 54°F and a high of 73°F. The sun shines down most of the season without a single snow cloud in sight. On perfect days like these, there's only one place to go: The Golden Marsh.

The Golden Marsh

At Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club on the beautiful St. Lucie River is one of Florida's best kept secrets - The Golden Marsh golf course. This private, 18-hole golf course opened in 1985 and was designed by reputable golf course architect, Joe Lee. The course features a slope rating of 134, features four sets of tees for all skill sets levels and soft, green Bermuda grass perfectly maintained for optimal performance. And thanks to Florida's perfect weather, The Golden Marsh is open for play year-round.

Tee off beneath swaying palm trees and sweeping vistas. The Golden Marsh features a driving range and in-house pro to help you get that putt just right. As part of a private golf community, The Golden Marsh maintains a course free of crowding so you can play as relaxed or as rigorous as you please. Keep your eyes on the skies during play, as The Golden Marsh encircles a 35-acre eagle preserve, home to two Southern Bald Eagles for many years now.

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club

At The Golden Marsh your day isn't over after you sink that last hole. If anything, it's only just begun. The Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club features a number of amenities to suit every taste in dining and entertainment. Head over to one of the Club's four dining options suitable for any experience, from formal to casual, outside seating or inside. The Dockside Pavilion is Harbour Ridge's most popular restaurant with waterfront, al fresco-style seating to take in a warm Florida day.

While golfers enjoy the undulating fairways of The Golden Marsh, tennis lovers can make use of Harbour Ridge's state-of-the-art tennis facility with 10 Har-Tru courts, fully equipped fitness facility and soothing spa services. Bring everyone back together again for a relaxing cruise down the St. Lucie River and out into open waters via Harbour Ridge's private marina and yacht club. Yes, there's truly no better way to spend a winter day than in the warmth of the Florida sunshine at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club.

Palm City Tennis, Golf & Country Club

Living in Harbour Ridge is to join the Palm City Country Club community. With tennis, golf, yachting and other club life perks, you'll be placed in one of the Treasure Coast's most exclusive country clubs.

Palm City County Club and Golf Community

You'll be at home in our warm, welcoming community. Harbour Ridge residences are just minutes away from Palm City and Stuart and offer homes of many styles and sizes. Our community is comprised of over 28 unique villages, each created around a particular theme. In the East Hammock, you'll find large estate homes with deep pools and grand patios. These homes back directly to our River Ridge golf course. The Patio Homes of the South Shore highlight homes of smaller proportions, but never sacrifice on the amenities and luxuries you've come to expect of Harbour Ridge. The Palmetto condominium complex offers ideal residences for retirees with sweeping golf course views. Whether, you're a young couple, family, or in your golden years, Harbour Ridge offers the perfect fit for you.

Be Welcome At Harbour Ridge

Harbour Ridge is a community where golfers and tennis players mingle with yachters and nature enthusiasts to create a buzzing, active community of residents, each one of whom is proud to call Harbour Ridge their home. Sports and cards, activities and events, and a shared love for their Club bring members together and give Harbour Ridge its unique appeal. Living in harmony with nature inspires a spirit of peace and respect for their fellow residents, making Harbour Ridge a place of beauty, friendship and joy. Harbour Ridge, Palm City Country Club

Harbour Ridge Celebrates Families in a Big Way!

PALM CITY, FLORIDA, 2015. -

Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club recently celebrated their 12th Annual Grandchildren’s Weekend from April 2 to April 4.

Michael Salerno, Harbour Ridge General Manager, says, “Grandchildren’s Weekend is an amazing few days for our members and their children and grandchildren. It’s an opportunity for families to spend quality time together creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

Grandchildren’s Weekend is filled with events and programs aimed at all age groups. Among the activities were a spring-training game bus trip, family bingo, a scavenger hunt spanning the entire 885-acre property, family fitness games, a visit from McCarthy’s Wildlife Center, tennis and golf clinics, and a family fun night featuring a DJ, dancing, magician, face painting, photo booth, food and more! The weekend closed with a family carnival covering the entire 1st hole of the famed Joe Lee golf course - The Golden Marsh. Activities included food, games & prizes, fair rides, a zip line, DJ and so much more. The family carnival finished off with a fireworks show designed to coordinate with songs selected by Harbour Ridge staff. While the club’s calendar is packed with events and activities, the 4-day Grandchildren’s weekend is one that members and their families anxiously anticipate all year long!

As the planning process begins for next season’s calendar, you can guarantee that the 2016 Grandchildren’s Weekend will be back -- bigger and better than ever!

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club is a private, 885-acre community with 695 residences that overlook its two picturesque golf courses, acres of Audubon-sanctioned nature preserves on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The Board of Directors, management and staff, along with the members, are all dedicated to maintaining their commitment to financial soundness and stability in an environment which enables them to enrich their quality of life.

For more information on Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, please contact our Membership Office at (772) 873-6013 or l.pahl@hrycc.org.

Harbour Ridge "PRINCESSES" Run For Breast Cancer Awareness

PALM CITY, FLORIDA, February 20, 2015.  - On February 20 and 21, Harbour Ridge had a total of fifteen women take part in the Annual Disney Glass Slipper Challenge; thirteen members and two staff members.  In total, the ladies completed 80.6 miles in the 10K event and 52.4 miles in the ½ marathon for a total of 133 miles.  They started on their own in the summer and continued all season despite busy schedules, illness and injuries. Organized weekly stretching and strengthening were scheduled, as well as team training walks.

Their commitment was inspirational. Equally interesting was the enthusiasm to try new things. For many of the ladies, walking or running in a race was a new experience. Several who had done a 10k before opted for the half marathon. The experienced half marathoner did the double run - the Glass Slipper Challenge!  Our members are athletic, enthusiastic and eager to embrace new challenges. 

The ladies collected sponsorship money which was raised for the Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club GO PINK! Breast Cancer Event.  Funds raised from this event are donated to the Martin Memorial Breast Navigator Program.  In total, the Harbour Ridge Princesses raised $2800.  The GO PINK! Tournament raised a total of $51,700 for the Navigator program.

HARBOUR RIDGE ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW LIFESTYLE CENTER, GOLF COURSE RENOVATION

PALM CITY, FLORIDA, February 18, 2015 – Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club today announced membership approval of a 3-year, $11 million amenity enhancement program to build a new lifestyle center and renovate its famed Golden Marsh golf course.
Herbert Heuchert, president of the Harbour Ridge Board of Directors, said: “Our members are responding to the national sports, fitness and wellness trends, and we are excited to be enhancing the fitness, tennis, golf, aquatics and social experiences available here at Harbour Ridge, especially since the projects will be completed without levying a membership assessment or incurring new long-term debt.”

Designed by Peacock + Lewis of North Palm Beach, the 18,000 square foot lifestyle complex will include fitness and workout areas, Pilates and personal training spaces, physical therapy capability, a full-service spa, salon and wellness center, a tennis and retail shop, as well as food and beverage service. Outside the center will be an enlarged pool to accommodate both lap swimming and water aerobics, a children’s play area and nine tennis courts, one of which has the ability to feature stadium seating. Construction of the new lifestyle center is expected to begin in November 2015, with completion targeted for December 2016.

The scenic Golden Marsh golf course, designed by Joe Lee and built in 1984, will be re-grassed with Celebration Bermuda turf with drainage improvements and playability changes made to both the greens and fairways. A new state-of-the-art irrigation system will be installed and cart paths and bridges will be resurfaced. The Golden Marsh project is expected to begin in Spring 2017 with completion before year-end.

These two projects follow the renovation of the club’s River Ridge Golf Course. Known for its sweeping views, the Pete and PB Dye course has one of the highest slope ratings in Florida and has hosted numerous USGA events. The course will be re-grassed after playability, drainage and installation of a new state of the art irrigation system. Renovation will begin in April with play planned for this November.

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club is a private, 885-acre community with 695 residences that overlook its two picturesque golf courses, acres of Audubon sanctioned nature preserves and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The Board of Directors, management and staff, along with the members, are all dedicated to maintaining their commitment to financial soundness and stability in an environment which enables them to enrich their quality of life.

For more information on Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, please contact our Membership Office at (772) 873-6013 or l.pahl@hrycc.org.

Competing with New Home Construction

Harbour Ridge is presently surrounded by new home construction.  Although these new communities do not offer the lifestyle and amenities that are available at Harbour Ridge, it is important for home sellers to investigate the trends in new homes and determine what to do to make your home appeal to all buyers.

It is wise to visit new communities in your price range because it can give you ideas about how to position your home and price it appropriately.  It is always crucial to be realistic about the competition.

Here are four things to consider when viewing model homes and comparing them to your home:

Property condition.  A model home in a new development will be pristine with fresh paint and the assistance of an expert interior designer.  You can get ideas regarding the latest decorating trends and ways to maximize the best features of your home and minimize the less appealing ones.  Beware of overspending when you begin to improve your home for sale, but do consider painting in the new neutral tones if you presently have bright colored walls or wallpaper.

Put yourself in the buyer’s frame of mind.  Many model homes have set the dining room table, which gives a positive visual to a prospect.  It is important, however, to know that when buyers look at homes, they want to visualize how they will live in it, not how you are currently living there.  This means that you need to put the breakfast dishes away, make the beds and assure that towels are neatly hung.  Remove any personal items and eliminate clutter.

Look at curb appeal.  Model homes typically have new landscaping and freshly painted house trim.  Assure your bushes and trees are neat and trimmed; and if needed, paint your front door and replace its hardware for a more modern look.

Check out the finances.  Builders often offer incentives to buyers.  If you feel your home is dated, offer some sort of concession.  Your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty on-site agent will be able to offer you suggestions regarding this as well as provide you with inexpensive improvements you can make to your home to make it more marketable.

Please call Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty today at 772-336-1800 to list and sell your home.

Private Club Spa Trends

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club Spa

Spa Operations within Private Clubs continue to evolve, grow in popularity and become integrated into the new “Club Wellness lifestyle”. Following are the trends in the private club spas including the size and scope of spa facilities, spa services offered, and spa performance.

Treatment Rooms- Among private clubs, 80% report having spas with four or fewer rooms, with 45% only offering one treatment room. It would appear that for most private club fitness centers, spa facilities are still more of an afterthought amenity rather than a potential profit center than can enrich member lives and generate incremental revenues.

According to the International Spa Association (ISPA) the average spa in the U.S. has 6.6 treatment rooms

Treatment Room Occupancy- Treatment room occupancy is one of the most important KPI’s for predicting the revenue and profit potential for a spa. Among the private clubs, 40% report occupancy levels under 30%, while approximately 23% report having occupancy levels that exceed 60%. Empirical data from the spa industry indicates that a profitable spa needs to operate at above 50% occupancy and preferably above 60% occupancy. The largest spas, those with over 8 rooms or more, can generate high occupancy levels (80% have over 60% occupancy levels) while smaller spas, especially those with a single room, have occupancy levels under 20%. This difference in occupancy levels might be related to the management of these areas, with larger spas having a professional director for the spa while smaller spas (less than four rooms) are left under the direction of a non-spa professional such as a fitness director.

Types of Services Offered by Private Club Spas- Massage is the most popular spa service with 87% of private club fitness centers reporting they offer massage. Facial and body treatments are the second most popular with 40% of clubs indicating they offer these two services. When the data of services offered by private club fitness centers are compared to the data from the general spa industry, the trends are similar. In both general spas and private club based spas, massage, facials, pedicures and manicures are the most popular, while more esoteric services such as medical–based treatments (e.g., Botox) and acupuncture are not very popular. It should be noted that private club based spas, in particular, the larger spas, are more likely to offer medical-based spa treatments than the typical spa.

Pricing Practices for Private Club Spa Services- For the three primary services offered by private club spas (massage, facials and body treatments), more than 50% of the clubs report they charge over $75 for a single session. For manicures and pedicures, the pricing varies with a range of $31 to $50 the most popular price point.

Average Spa Revenue based on the Number of Treatment Rooms- The private club data clearly shows the revenue upside of offering a spa with at least five treatment rooms. Spas with five to eight rooms generate 2.5x more revenue than those with two to four and generate 7x more revenue than those with one treatment room. For spas with greater than eight rooms, the additional revenue can be 10x to 16x more than a spa that offers four or fewer treatment rooms. Depending on the number of treatment rooms, the average revenue per treatment room in a private club spa ranges from $63,000 to $112,000 per room.

Other Spa Trends

Integration is Key!- Spas within private clubs have a unique opportunity to provide the key integration with other wellness modalities that are leading to the following trends:

 

Integration of Massage and Fitness Programming- The success of specialty fitness training: golf and tennis fitness programs, corrective exercise, and physical therapy, are referring and integrating massage as an important element of member programming. Massage is positioned as an important “recovery” element of member’s fitness program rather than a luxury.

 

Massage and spa services bundled- Once a spa culture is established by the club, there is a trend towards bundled services, members coming in for more than one service and trying other menu items along with the traditional massage (i.e., adding on a facial, body treatment, etc)

 

Out Reach Programs that Integrate Spa and Wellness programming in other areas of the club- Chair massage, reflexology, and stretching techniques to golf tennis and even bridge/card room areas within the club to provide education and visibility for the spa

 

Spa Events and Parties provide education along with a social element and boost member participation in services other than massage.

 

Multi-Purpose Treatment Rooms- With limited space, inclusion of “multi-purpose” rooms where couples massage, facials, and wet treatments may be performed is a trend for private club spas. These rooms range from 120-150 square feet. Couples rooms are a bit larger, ranging from 150 to 200 square feet.

 

Importance of a Spa Lounge- The addition of a spacious and well appointed lounge or relaxation area within the spa is a growing trends as private clubs move away from the massage room as an afterthought concept, to creating a comprehensive spa experience for members.