Please find below a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the Basement Project. If you require any further information or there is a question you would like to ask please email Secretary@LansdowneClub.com or call +44 (0) 20 7318 6160
How long will it take?
The total project time is anticipated to take 12 months from start to finish, although different parts of the total project will come back at different times. The timelines stated are merely indicative at this stage and will be finalised closer to the confirmed project start date.
The squash courts, exercise area, new cardio and free weights gyms will take 12 months starting in October/November 2010 finishing in October/November 2011.
Work on the new Men’s changing room will start in October 2010/November and are planned to open for use in March 2011, The existing Men’s changing room will then be refurbished from April 2011 to May 2011.
Treatment room 2 and the upstairs Ladies changing room will be refurbished from January 2011 to March 2011.
The refurbishment to AQUA, the new reception area and two new treatment rooms will start in October/November 2010 and will be open from February 2011.
How much will it cost?
The project is budgeted at three million pounds.
Can the Club afford it?
The Club has four million pounds funding in place.
Why has the Club decided to go ahead with the project at this time?
The project has been a long time in coming having been originally proposed in 1998 with a new gym proposed as part of the year 2000 MasterPlan. The gym has now grown into the Basement project and all that that entails now forms the first part of the 5-year rolling Strategic Plan.
When will the bedroom extension project then be undertaken?
Planning for this is underway and is being proposed for works to be undertaken in 2011/12 for completion prior to the 2012 Olympics.
Will I still be able to use the sports area?
The swimming pool, existing gym around the balcony and Salle d’arme will be available throughout the project although there will be restricted access, at times, on the main stairs.
What disruption will there be to other facilities and areas of the Club?
The main disruption will be from noise during the demolition. Any noisy works will be limited to between 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 5.00pm Monday through Friday. The project site will be screened off with acoustic panelling. It is anticipated that the bedrooms will be noise affected between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday but there will not be any works outside of these hours. No noisy works will be permitted when pre-booked events in the Ball Room are taking place. By restricting the hours of works it is anticipated that lunch in the Dining Room and/or Courtyard will not be affected.
Will you be offering discounts on room hire and bedrooms?
No discounts will be offered as all Members and guests booking bedrooms and function rooms will be clearly informed about the planned works and the times of these works.
Where will we be able to play squash?
As the squash courts will be out of commission for the whole of the project, access for Lansdowne Club Members has been arranged at five courts within 10 minutes or less walk from the Club’s front door. The main court will be at the In and Out on St James’s Square where the Bath Cup teams will also be based. We also have access to two courts at the RAF Club and restricted access to the 2 courts at the Oxford and Cambridge Club.
Where is the alternative to AQUA when it closes for refurbishment?
A temporary bar/dining structure is being created in the Courtyard from September this year. It is planned that the temporary structure will remain in situ for a couple of years. The structure will cover one-third of the Courtyard and has a retractable roof covering as well as retractable front panelling.
What will the dress code be in the temporary bar structure in the Courtyard?
The dress code currently in place in the sports area will remain unchanged in the entire Courtyard whilst AQUA is being refurbished. This short-term adjustment to the usual ground floor and above dress code will be restricted to the Courtyard only and does not encompass the Round Room or Adam Room. Once AQUA re-opens the dress code in the Courtyard will revert back to normal dress code.
Will the treatment rooms still be available?
It is planned to keep the two existing treatment rooms operational until the two new rooms have been opened after which time the two existing rooms will be closed. Once the refurbishment of the Ladies upstairs changing room has been completed the existing small treatment room (refurbished) will be returned to operation giving the Club three treatment rooms.
Will the fencing Salle be operating as usual?
At this point in time work is still in the planning stages and it is currently proposed to open up the waiting area and new bag store areas. The salle may be affected but only for a limited time.
What changing room facilities will be available during the project?
The Men’s changing room will be available until the new Men’s changing room extension opens. At that point we will be restricting access to the existing changing room whilst the showers and floor are refurbished.
The Ladies upstairs changing room will be out of action during the entire project. The swimming pool side Ladies changing room will be open throughout.
Will we be getting more lockers?
160 new lockers for Men and approximately 45 new lockers for Ladies will be provided. The lockers in the back of the existing Men’s changing room will be lost permanently as this space will be converted into showers, loo’s and wash handbasins. Those Members with lockers in this area will be provided with alternative lockers prior to the project starting.
Will you be charging for the sports facilities during the project?
Yes, it is planned that we will still be charging for those facilities that are available during this time at the current rates.
How will you keep members informed on the progress of the project?
A monthly update will be sent out by email and will also be posted on the display presentation that will be set up outside the Thirties Room.
Will the Barber still be operating?
Yes, an alternative area has been organised for Steve the Barber on the 5th floor.
Will the exercise studio still be operational?
No the exercise studio will be out of operation from the beginning of the project but an alternative area has been identified and it is planned to change the Billiards Room on the 1st floor into the exercise/dance studio. All the classes that are currently held downstairs will still be available. During this time the Billiards Room will not be available for meetings, games and Billiards.
Will we be getting a sauna or a steam room?
Yes, we will be building a steam room only. It was originally planned to install both a mixed separate steam room and sauna but due to the restricted space available, only a steam room will be built.