Blog Post
The Water Reclamation Project Update
Members,
Just an update from the trenches. Last week was a big week—some highlights of what has been completed and what to expect.
Completed:
- 320 ft of 8in HDPE delivery piping bored from 6 cart paths under bunker to the point of connection behind the green. This was done to meet water control board requirements of separation from domestic water and reclaimed systems.
- Connection to city supply and all hardware installed.
- 1,200 lin ft. of piping installed from 4th green to the 15th hole.
- Irrigation and drainage installed on Holes 11 and 12 teeing grounds.
- Grading and sand cap on all teeing grounds to finish the grade.
- 16,000 sq ft of Kikuyu Sod installed from 6th green to 5th green.
- 7,500 sq ft. of cart path installed.
- 16,000 sq ft. Of Bandera Bermuda installed on the 11th and 12th teeing areas.
As you can see from the list above, it was a hectic week, and many of you witnessed it. Again, I can thank you for the overall positive support during this wild phase of the project.
Work in the next phase will be.
- Complete piping to the irrigation reservoir approximately 600ft.
- Start 6in pipe run on 10th hole primarily working in the deep rough area.
- Hook up drainage from cart path drains to existing systems.
- Complete repairs and on 5th and 6th Holes (Sodding, Irrigation Planting natives and Mulching).
- Complete sodding Kikuyu surrounds on the 11th and 12th holes.
- Add drip irrigation and plant 11th and 12th holes with natives and mulch.
- Sod old path area on 10th hole plus start work on the transition from cart path end to the turf.
This is approximately a two-week work plan. Things change as supply chains are very difficult right now.
Now we will get to what you, as a member, really want to know. WHEN will this be over, and when can we play the new areas?
In two weeks, most of the crews and machinery will be leaving for Nebraska. A small crew will be around installing hardware for 3 to 4 more weeks, but this work will not be very intrusive.
The 11th and 12 holes should be open to play by mid-September, just in time for the clubs’ major events and one of the best times of year in the fall months.
Again, thank you. This has been an enormous undertaking in a short amount of time. But with a drought that seems not to want to go away and no ceiling in domestic water prices and its lack of availability. This connection could not come at a better time as negations for this resource could and would only get more complex. Plus, its pricing and availability are more stable than the alternatives. With the bonus of public perception that a non-potable source is being used for irrigation.
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
