Blog Post
7/26/21 Update
Reclaimed water project update for the week of 7/26/21
Dear La Cumbre Members,
Last week was a successful start to what will present as a larger undertaking this week. Landscapes Unlimited, Mac Brown Co, and Lash Contractors are on-site and off-site, completing the pipeline run from Valle Verde behind 6th green. In addition, we will commence runs along with the 6th and the 10th fairways to the reservoir off the 15th.
As always, we will try to keep disruptions to members at a minimum, and we greatly appreciate your patience and support with us during this process.
Ok, so what did we complete last week, and what do we expect to complete this week?
Last Week:
- In Calle Los Amigos, Lash Construction installed 900 linear ft of 8in pipe for reclaimed water.
- On the 6th Hole, work started on the pipeline that will extend from the back of the 6th Hole to the 15th Hole and the lake reservoir.
- More Materials were delivered, and Landscapes Unlimited set up camp in the irrigation island area along the 15th fairway.
This Week:
- Lash Construction will complete the pipeline run from the Calle Los Amigos point of connection behind the 6th green distribution point.
- Cart Path removal will be commencing on the 5th, 10th, and 11th holes and possibly be completed by the end of the week.
- The palm tree planter on the 11th Hole will be removed to make the pipeline and refreshed teeing complex.
- Boring under the road at Monte and Via Laguna should commence this week.
- Pipeline work will be underway in the old cart path locations, from the 6th, 5th, and leading over to behind the 4th green.
In recognizing the draught restrictions that are likely coming to our community, we are very fortunate to be in a position to complete this project that will ensure water to our property for years to come. As many of you are aware, we are all hearing discussions of severe water restrictions that would, at a minimum, materially increase our water costs.
Again, as we have shared over the months, the work will primarily exist under the existing cart paths routes. This may be disruptive to play, but we will do our best to manage our contractor's footprints on the course and the project swiftly moving toward a positive outcome.
Thank you again for your patience and support!
Wayne
La Cumbre Club Benchmarking Updates
Dear Members, Subject: Club Initiatives & Financial Updates I’d like to take a moment to update you on the work being done by the Board, our committees, and our management team to ensure La Cumbre’s long-term success. Committee Engagement & Financial Planning This Wednesday, committee members participated in an All-Committee Orientation led by Adam and his team. This marks the second year of this initiative, designed to strengthen collaboration with our management team and alignment across all committees. It was so good to hear from each department head about the work they do and the goals they have for their area of the club. It was truly an impressive presentation, and we are lucky to have this talented staff. I encourage members to get to know these leaders. Link to staff here . We recognize that many members have concerns about the club’s financial position. The Board, Adam, and I remain laser-focused on providing clarity—starting with our year-end 2024 financials and the development of a long-term capital funding plan. These challenges were not created overnight, and they will not be solved overnight, but we are actively finalizing financials and planning the next steps to position La Cumbre for a strong future. As I noted in my early January communication, a Capital Planning Task Force was formed to evaluate funding strategies. As part of this review, this week, our Asset Reserve Study was updated by Club Benchmarking, and the results are expected to be finalized in the next 8-10 weeks. Key Updates on Club Initiatives Capital Planning Task Force – Formed in mid-January, this group (Kevin Newman, Dan McGuire, and Rick Nightingale) has been developing a proposal that will be reviewed by Adam, our new Director of Finance, and me this week. We anticipate presenting it at the February Board meeting and rolling it out to members in early April. Clubhouse Renovation – Committee chairs and our contractor are finalizing detailed quotes for necessary repairs and improvements, with details expected to be shared with members by the end of March. Financial Leadership – Our new Director of Finance, Homer Allbritton, started on February 18th. His expertise will be instrumental in enhancing La Cumbre’s financial reporting, ensuring clarity for management, the Board, and members. Year-End Financials & Budget – The 2024 financials will be reviewed at the February Board meeting and posted on our website as soon as the audit is complete and our audit committee has approved them. The 2025 operating budget is also undergoing final refinements before Board review. Strategic Pillars & Club Development To ensure La Cumbre’s long-term success, we remain committed to our four strategic pillars: Member Experience – The member satisfaction survey was sent out last week. Once results are compiled, we will analyze feedback and identify areas for improvement. Employee Recruitment and Development – The hiring of Homer Allbritton is a key step toward professionalizing financial reporting, ensuring a clear understanding of the club’s financial strengths and obligations. Financial Responsibility – Our top priority is financial clarity and accountability. Now that Homer is on board, the Board will appoint a Treasurer and begin convening the Finance Committee in March. Governance, Environment & Sustainability – The Governance Committee met this week and began its work on these priorities: Aligning by-laws and policies with best practices and California corporate governance standards. Establishing a GM evaluation framework for consistency and accountability. Launching a Leadership & Nominations Committee to develop a Board skills matrix and engage talented members as future leaders. Member Engagement & Moving Forward Adam and I held a Coffee Talk on February 14th, where we had a productive conversation with about 15 members. Great questions were raised, and we had an open dialogue about club issues. We plan to continue these monthly Coffee Talks as an opportunity for direct member engagement—please join us for the next one on February 28th at 9:00 am! Link to RSVP here . Additionally, neither the Board, Adam, nor I will respond to anonymous communications. We welcome and encourage open, respectful dialogue and constructive feedback from all members—our goal is to work together to solve challenges. Thank you for being part of this journey. Sincerely, Tracy Jenkins President, La Cumbre Country Club
Why We Need Sound Governance
