Writing in late April, I am very aware of the rapidly approaching start of the East Wing refurbishment works and am impressed with the progress being made by our project team and the contractors. By the time this article is published, members will have become familiar with the key steps of the work and how it will affect their use of the Club, through a regular series of updates which will be posted on the website. But please read on.

What should happen?
1 July 2024: The contractors will take possession of the East Wing site and member access will be prohibited. Prior to 1 July, members can expect to see a few workers on site preparing for the start of the works.

30 April 2025: The work will be finished and the process of handing the East Wing back to the Club will begin.

31 May 2025: The East Wing will start a graduated re-opening for business.

But you and I know that it’s not that simple…
The Club will have to adapt during the construction period and needs to make the best use of the space available. As far as possible, work will be scheduled to reduce disruption. I have set out some of the issues and current thinking.

Dining: At times, during the East Wing works, we will have limited or no use of the main kitchen. Food will still be available in the Polo Bar, Harness Room and from the BBQ, but the restriction of food preparation space may have an impact on our menus. We plan to supplement our food offering with pop-up catering trucks, as we did last year.

In September, temporary covered seating will be installed in the Rose Court, particularly to cater for the demand for weekend lunches during the winter. We also plan to provide for children’s soft play nearby.

There will be disruption in the Terrace Room and Dining Room, but this too will be minimised. Members will be advised when details are available.

Access to the East Wing from the Lutyens Courtyard will be via the stairs and lift to the first floor and the offices.

Car Parking: We will temporarily lose 15 spaces in the Four in Hand Yard. However, the Club is committed to maintaining the current number of spaces in the longer term.

Sports: Will be unaffected. The Gym will be accessible, but from the west side only. The tennis and padel courts will function as normal, as will the Racquet Centre and the Fitness Centre.

Elsewhere in the Masterplan…
A North Wing Working Group and a Cricket Pavilion Working Group have been set up to enable the project team to tap into the ideas and views of users, drawn from members and staff, from an early stage in each project. Both projects are ambitious and quite challenging, making this input all the more important. Members will be hearing more about them both over the summer.

DAVID PATERSON, CHAIR, MASTERPLAN OVERSIGHT GROUP