Last Days for the Geist Clubhouse

DSCN3139 A community landmark for the last 20 years is closing in Admirals Bay.

Allen Rosenberg, Jr. manages the Marina Limited Partnership, owners of the Geist Clubhouse at 12549 Old Stone Drive. He confirmed today in a phone call that the Geist Clubhouse will be closing its doors at the end of the year.

“We’ve been operating at a loss for the last few years and can’t justify the cost,” said Rosenberg.

The Geist Clubhouse has been a selling point for many families moving to the Admirals over the years, especially those living in or near Admirals Bay. With three swimming pools, swim classes, tennis courts and banquet facilities, residents have had an affordable club ($350-$450 per year) to enjoy with their families.

However, maturing families and nearby competitors like the Indianapolis Yacht Club have forced the Marina Limited Partnership to cut their losses and move on.

With Geist Clubhouse being surrounded on three sides by Admirals Bay, the Marina Limited Partnership approached the Geist Harbours Property Owners Association (GHPOA) in late 2007 about a possible purchase of the clubhouse. A GHPOA subcommittee of Bob Tollini, Terry Fulk, Tom Britt and Ken Yale met in private with Allen Rosenberg Sr. and Allen Rosenberg Jr. to perform a due diligence study on the 13-acre facility.

“We wanted to give GHPOA the first right of refusal on the property,” said Rosenberg Jr. “Our hope is to have it continue in operation as a clubhouse.”

After two months of private meetings and discussions, the GHPOA subcommittee recommended to the GHPOA Board of Directors not to purchase the property this spring. Committee members cited the financial risk and dwindling enrollment as reasons not to pursue the purchase. The GHPOA Board voted unanimously to decline the offer (view written statement on GHPOA.com).

“I think we all felt that the Geist Clubhouse is a huge asset to Geist Harbours,” said GHPOA President Bob Tollini. “But we would have a hard time convincing residents on the other side of the reservoir in Masthead and Beam Reach to pay more each year in dues for a clubhouse they would never visit.”

Many residents hate to see the facility go, including Jeanne Lugo, who lives on the west side of the clubhouse property. She found out about the potential sale when a survey crew was staking the Geist Clubhouse property in late May.

“It will be a sad day for the whole community if we lose the clubhouse,” said Lugo.

Indianapolis City Councilor Ginny Cain, also an Admirals Bay resident, is concerned as well. She is more upset that nearby residents were not informed earlier about the possible sale.

“I just wished the GHPOA would have hosted some hearings, a referendum, or something to communicate this to the residents sooner. I’m afraid we’re going to lose a great community resource,” said Cain.

“If we can’t find a buyer to take it over ‘as-is’, we will subdivide the property into lots consistent with the adjoining neighborhood,” Rosenberg explained.

Rosenberg admitted that time is running out on a buyer to take over the clubhouse and continue operations. Notices will be mailed to 2008 club members next month informing them of the closure.

“If we don’t have an acceptable offer by the end of September, we’ll go ahead with the plan to develop the ground.”

If there are residents or local business owners interested in purchasing the Geist Clubhouse, please email Tom Britt or contact Allen Rosenberg, Jr. at 317-845-0270.

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