In a meeting with press Tuesday, managers of Kingsmill Resort confirmed plans that the resort’s amenities, including restaurants and the club’s pools, will soon only be available to club members.
Two weeks ago, emails detailing proposed changes from Xanterra, the resort’s owner and management company, to the memberships and grounds were sent to residents of Kingsmill. One of those changes included a gate that would restrict access to club amenities from nonmember residents.
Robin Carson, general manager of the resort, confirmed the plans include an exclusive entryway members would pass through to access club amenities, but stopped short of calling it a “gate.” She said instead of a guard, the club wanted to have a “greeter” who could help guide members and resort guests.
“They could give directions and key-in rooms,” Carson said.
It is only one of many changes planned for the resort, she said, in a proposed multimillion dollar, 36-month project. The new plans include renovations of the sports center, a “river walk” that runs along the James River, and allowing only members to patronize one of its restaurants and The Woods Course.
“We realize that people have used the resort facilities forever,” Carson said. “It’s a different time … We’ve tried to be all things to all people and we’ve had success. We’ve stumbled a little, too.”
According to Carson, the resort is not looking to exclude non-member residents from accessing the club perks; it’s looking to make membership more valuable. Right now, non-member residents — those who own houses in the community but don’t pay membership fees — can’t access much of the sports center, unlimited golf or tennis.
They do have access to the restaurants, club pools and beach. Carson said that does not leave much incentive to buy a membership.
Another reason for the changes, she said, is members have complained they can’t get a table at the restaurants or a tee time when they want one. That’s why, she said, the resort decided to take a new approach.
“Our members feel — and they’ve said this — they feel like second-class citizens,” she said.
The resort boasts 18 levels of membership right now. Also part of the plan is simplifying those levels down to two – a social membership and golf membership.
For a fee, social members would have access to the beach, restaurants, an outdoor pool and the coming-soon boardwalk. For a much higher one-time fee, golf members would have all-inclusive access.
“We want to create a true community environment,” Carson said.
