In a surprise announcement the McKay family from Carmel, California, sent out a letter to the public stating their intentions to reopen The Claremont Club in just a few weeks. This obviously comes as good news to hundreds of families who used their facilities for so many years. The McKays are asking the public to fill out a survey that will help them get settled in Claremont. The COURIER will follow this story as it develops. See the letter below:

To The Claremont Club Community,

We are writing to you today, to inform you that The Claremont Club will be reopening in a few short weeks! We are thrilled to bring you this news and to introduce ourselves to you. We are the McKays, a large family that lives in Carmel, California, and the new owners of this wonderful club. There are eight of us, led by our matriarch and loving mother, Heidi! She is a lifelong tennis player and owner, operator, and active member at Carmel Valley Athletic Club and Refuge spa. 

Under the ownership of the Clark family and management of Mike Alpert, The Claremont Club has become a beacon in the fitness world and we are honored to now be part of that legacy. In the coming weeks and months, we will begin our reopening procedures, starting with swimming, tennis, and pickleball. We will also be creating safe outdoor spaces for group exercise classes and gym equipment as soon as we can. 

We hope to draw on our knowledge and experience to make this transition as seamless as possible and continue to evolve The Claremont Club’s fitness offerings during this difficult time.

We believe that exercise, in all its forms, leads to a longer, livelier, and overall richer life. We are passionate about building strong communities and know that every voice counts. We would like to get your feedback with a quick 3-question survey. Please click the link below to get started.

Claremont Club Survey

Your answers will give us a roadmap to plan our initial course. This will continue to be a family run business and we will read each response thoroughly!   

We look forward to providing you with exceptional health and wellness services in the years to come. Please keep an eye out for future communications on rejoining The Claremont Club.

We hope to welcome you back to the club soon. 

Sincerely,

The McKay Family

Here is the latest press release with more background information.

The Claremont Club has a storied history and, thanks to the McKay family, a new beginning. The Claremont Club has been purchased by the McKay Group – a family-owned company that operates similar properties in Carmel – with the intent of reopening as soon as health-orders permit. 

“We believe that exercise, in all its forms, leads to a longer, livelier, and overall richer life,” said Kyle McKay, communications manager for The McKay Group. “Following a year rife with challenges, we’re excited to deliver a New Year with new potential and new opportunities for local residents to get fit and stay healthy by rejoining The Claremont Club.” 

The new owners made the announcement on December 23 via email to TCC members, noting, “Under the ownership of the Clark family and management of Mike Alpert, The Claremont Club has become a beacon in the fitness world and we are honored to now be part of that legacy. In the coming weeks and months, we will begin our reopening procedures, starting with swimming, tennis, and pickleball. We will also be creating safe outdoor spaces for group exercise classes and gym equipment as soon as we can.”

The McKay Group is headed by president – and matriarch – Heidi McKay, a life-long tennis player, owner/operator, and active member of the Carmel Valley Athletic Club and Refuge spa. The company is operated by the family, which includes seven children, and CEO Adam Tight.

Given their success with similar health and wellness facilities, the McKay Group is drawing on their knowledge and experience to make this transition as seamless as possible and continue to evolve The Claremont Club’s fitness offerings during the pandemic.  As part of the reopening effort, the new owners are asking TCC members to participate in a short  Claremont Club Survey to incorporate members’ opinions in the reopening process.

“We are passionate about building strong communities and know that every voice counts. Your answers will give us a roadmap to plan our initial course of action. This will continue to be a family-run business and we will read each response thoroughly.”

As expected, the details of the reopening will evolve, given the pandemic environment, with safety as the first priority.  The membership process will be rolled out within the next few weeks.

“We’re still working on the membership and reopening specifics,” McKay said. “But we decided to make the announcement now because we wanted to let the community know as soon as possible that The Claremont Club is back.”