Perfectly Planned
Dockside Publishing, Winter 2016
A new clubhouse designed with elegance and flair.
To design a custom home, you might start by listing all the things you dislike about your existing place. Multiply that experience by 2,000 people, and you get a taste of the thought that’s gone into Alpine Ski Club’s new clubhouse.
The 45,000 square foot facility is visually stunning, with soaring ceilings and massive walls of glass that capture gorgeous views in every direction. But the things that have many people really excited are the significant details.
“There are so many elements in this design that will just make everyone’s lives here more enjoyable,” says marketing director Kirsti Suutari. “Everywhere you look there’s something that will enhance the space. Not just for members, but for weddings, conferences, you name it.”
The Ascot Hall, for example, can seat well over 500 people at tables, with 30-foot windows that flood the space with light. It’s perfect for wedding, fashion shows, dances – the National Ski Academy is having their 30th Anniversary Ball here this winter. What isn’t immediately apparent is how flexible the space is.
“The room is zoned, so you can have a band playing at one end while people finish their dinner at the other end, and then you gradually shift the sound and light levels so that people get up and dance,” Kirsti explains. Music can flow onto the patio if you wish to dance under the stars. In-floor wiring lets bands set up without running extension cords. You can even have a quieter zone in the Heritage Lounge where guests can relax in couches and armchairs.
The nearby Georgian Room receives morning light – an ideal space for conference organizers to offer yoga – but its sweeping view of Georgian Bay also makes it ideal for indoor weddings. A nearby meeting room with a kitchenette and bathrooms is an ideal place for bridal parties to change. The Athletes’ Room is designed for hosting race teams, but it’s also equipped to show movies, so kids can hang out while their parents socialize upstairs.
Many of the details will never be seen by most guests, but they will certainly enhance
the experience. “Men With Knives does our catering, and they are so excited about what they’ll be able to do here,” Kirsti says, gesturing to the enormous kitchen. “In our old clubhouse, you had to unplug the microwave if you plugged in the kettle. They still did amazing work despite that, but now all those shackles come off.”
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