It was the moment members of the Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club had been eagerly waiting for over the past year as they were closed off from their much-loved Beach Club while it underwent a major facelift. Roughly 500 members and invited guests happily poured into the beautifully renovated facility last Tuesday to enjoy a Grand Opening Gala and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony.
Throughout the $3.8-million transformation, members had peeked into windows and watched online video updates in the club newsletter, but this was the real thing. The excitement level was high for the highly anticipated project – even the gold-toothed alligator head in the entryway was smiling.
“It’s been a long journey but this is a magnificent job; essentially a new beach club,” said Dick Heffern, Sea Oaks Property Owners Association president. “The beach and the ocean are the number one draw for our members so we owed it to ourselves to modernize the beach club for current and future members.”
“This is just spectacular. It’s more spectacular than I’d envisioned,” said Marion Golfinopoulos, echoing the sentiments of everyone in attendance.
It was a perfect evening for outdoor dining – ideal temperatures, a light wind off the ocean to keep away any no-see-ums and an almost full moon rising up overhead. So it came as no surprise that the oceanside tables along the repaved pool area and in the new gazebo bar, which debuted that evening, were quickly snapped up.
Bountiful buffet stations had been placed inside and out, upstairs and down, and libations were flowing at strategically placed bars. A continually replenished raw bar downstairs, highlighted with a number of stunning ice sculptures and all variety of shellfish, seemed to be the most popular of all. The Fabulons band performing outdoors in the gazebo had folks jitter-bugging in place, while in the upstairs lounge, entertainment was provided by the smooth crooning of Tony Fernandez.
“It’s been a long time in the making. We got to be the lucky ones, getting to work with Thom and his staff,” said Lyn Stewart, co-chair of the Decorating Committee with Priscilla Engel, speaking of renowned American interior designer Thom Filicia, who put his expert touch on the club’s much-needed makeover.
“It’s like day and night,” said Ve Emch of the transformation. “It’s fantastic.”
Before the ceremonial cutting of a bright blue ribbon draped along the upstairs balcony, several people spoke. Heffern and Keith Miller, who chaired the Modernization Committee, reiterated their thanks for the hard work of the numerous people involved, from committee members and staff to contractors and contributors.
“This is really a home run. It’s been a great project,” said Heffern.
“Once Thom agreed to take on our project, the atmosphere was electrified,” said Priscilla Engel.
“It’s a beautiful beach club that represents your community really, really well,” said Filicia. “I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed working on it.”
