Open week-end at the Cashmere Club

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 34

Open week-end at the Cashmere Club

As the first club with mixed membership and a family licence in the South Island, the Cashmere Club has 13 years of experience in knowing what it takes to entertain the public.

A membership of 1650 people, a restaurant which is well-patronised and superb sports facilities all contribute to the Cashmere Club’s success story.

“While the facilities are constantly being updated and added to, the basic concept of the club has not changed much over the years,” said Mr Brendon Wilson, the secretarymanager of the Cashmere Club.

The Cashmere Club works on the principle of there being absolutely no point in re-inventing the wheel.

Once a successful formula had been established it was adhered to.

The idea of a family club was thought to have started when some local residents got together 13 years ago. At the time there was nowhere a family or mixed group could get together in a place which provided full bar and restaurant facilities, along with entertainment, crafts and sporting activities.

It is only recently that the Cashmere Club’s committee is beginning to reap the full benefits of that* family aspect, withi the sons and daughters of

current members joining in their own right. The Cashmere Club’s membership is not limited to those living in the Cashmere area. Anyone can join, and the cost for a full year’s membership is $5O per person, plus $25 entrance fee.

Sporting activities at the Cashmere Club include squash, badminton, indoor bowls, golf, pool and table tennis.

Regular club nights and competitions are held in all these.

The two squash courts are overlooked by a viewing gallery, which also doubles as a lounge for general relaxation and activities such as card games.

Changing rooms and saunas are provided for all sports players at the Cashmere Club, and according to Mr Wilson, are a very welcome feature.

With the increased interest in keep fit classes and aerobics, the Cashmere Club hopes to be able to extend its floor space behind the two squash courts to provide a gymnasium.

The spacious games room in which indoor bowls, badminton and table tennis is played is of Olympic height standard. “Although," said Mr Wilson, "rarely do our players get anywhere near the ceiling!”

, The games room also E incorporates a wellstocked liquor bar so that

the room may also be used for special functions. Those looking for a less strenuous pursuit will find a comprehensive library where books may be borrowed on an "honour system.” “The library has proved very popular,” said Mr Wilson. « Off the main lounge, which is laid out rather like a very comfortable hotel lounge bar, is an outdoor area with six barbecues.

Mid-winter, the tables and seats look a little uninviting, but the carefully landscaped picnic area is in full use during the summer months.

“This is where families can really enjoy themselves,” said Mr Wilson, “we have plenty of barbecues and sausage sizzles which the children love.”

Back inside the main lounge there is a bar, several poker machines, a piano for old-fashioned sing-alongs, and a television and video.

“Parents can relax in the main lounge while the children watch videos over here,” said Mr Wilson, indicating the dancefloor. “They pull up their chairs and are kept happily entertained.”

A pool room for those who prefer real bar-type activity is off the main lounge, & as Is the Riverview Wtaurant. The restaurant, which

seats 160, has a comprehensive, but not overly exotic, menu. “We find it suits the families which come here,” said Mr Wilson. Pre-bookings for the Cashmere Club’s midwinter party in the restaurant are coming in fast, and already total some 100 diners. The restaurant is open for lunch every day but Monday from 12 midday until 2 p.m. and again for dinner, every night from 6 p.m. Further expansion of lounge facilities is planned, with a sports bar for dart and billiard players. The Cashmere Club has a very wide membership base, with members and their guests generally starting at around 20 years of age, moving through to the retired section of the community. It has an allowable membership of 2000, and the more members, the more facilities and features can be added to meet the changing entertainment requirements. With this in mind, the doors of the Cashmere Club will be opened to the public in an open weekend starting tomorrow. This will be your chance to see how the Cashmere Club operates, what facilities and entertainment it offers, and observe or join iiu. the various activities leing held there.