Pacific Palisades Woman’s Clubhouse Renovations Need Town’s Support

By Sue Pascoe
Editor

In our Nov. 5 article, “Roberta Donohue Is Asset to Woman’s Club,” one sentence read: “One of the more challenging projects will be to help the club raise $150,000 to restore the clubhouse and preserve it as a vital meeting space in the community.”

We misstated the cost. The actual cost of restoring, renovating and updating the clubhouse at 901 Haverford Ave. is projected at $1.5 million, and work will be done in phases. Construction is expected to be completed in 2017, but funds need to be raised.

The Woman’s Club needs community support to complete renovations of its clubhouse at Haverford and Antioch, which is used by numerous nonprofit groups. Photo: Shelby Pascoe
The Woman’s Club needs community support to complete renovations of its clubhouse at
Haverford and Antioch, which is used by numerous nonprofit groups. Photo: Shelby Pascoe

The first phase started in June and was recently completed. The main roof was re- placed and the bathrooms were redone so they are now compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (prior to renovation, a person in a wheelchair couldn’t get through the doors). The cost was $400,000.

The second phase will focus on the kitchen, the exit ramps, wiring, plumbing, ventilation and attic infrastructure. “The kitchen was state-of-the-art 50 years ago,” said Woman’s Club President Terri Lyman, but it hasn’t been updated since 1965.

“Through the generosity of local architect Susan Oakley and Global Restaurant Design Group owner Jerry Stein, we have secured a $70,000 gift of restaurant-quality kitchen appliances and stainless-steel counters,” Lyman said. “We must now raise the money to complete the kitchen to current code or risk losing this generous gift.”

The projected cost to update the kitchen and infrastructure is $250,000.

The third phase will involve renovating the lobby, main hall interior and the stage, plus updating the sound system. The estimated cost is $400,000. The final stage will feature exterior improvements including site access, drainage and landscaping and is budgeted at $350,000.

The original clubhouse, built Quonset-hut style in 1951, had only a large single room and no bathrooms. By 1956, the building had been paid off and money was raised to add the restrooms, a kitchen, foyer, stage and lanai.

The club, a 501(c)3 organization, is the site of self-help meetings, celebrations, other area nonprofit meetings and even the annual free flu shot. Over the last few years, it became apparent that a renovation was needed. Beginning the process started with members researching options—including the swap, sale or teardown of the existing building.

“The conclusion was that this facility was too important to the community to lose,” Lyman said. The Club embarked on a 100 percent capital campaign.

“Raising the $1.5 million dollars needed to complete this work began with asking the club members to support this process,”

Lyman said. “One hundred percent of our board members have already pledged money and one hundred percent of our members will have pledged their gift by the end of 2014. We now ask the community to join us.

“We want to revitalize our community treasure, securing the building for generations to come. Our construction plan is proceeding in phases, to minimize the disturbance of community members utilizing the clubhouse, as well as taking into account our ability to raise the necessary funds.

“We recognize the generosity of all of our donors,” Lyman said. “Those making at least a $5,000 donation will have permanent recognition on our donor wall.”

Additionally, anyone donating $500,000 will have their name on the curved wall of the main hall and those donating $250,000 or more will have their name on a plaque above the fireplace.

Checks may be mailed to Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 292, Pacific Palisades 90272, with notation “Capital Campaign.” Donations are tax deductible (Tax ID # 95-6093461).

Call (310) 454-9012 or e-mail info@theppwc.org or visit ThePPWC.org.

(Editor’s note: An additional error in the original story stated that “Paul Brown— Charlie and Marie’s son—stayed on as publisher.” Paul was actually Bill and Marie’s son.)

in Uncategorized
Related Posts
Comments
Leave a Reply