October 15, 2020
Dear Cazenovia Club Membership:
On behalf of the Cazenovia Club Board of Governors, we would like to extend our thanks to all the club members for their support during a very difficult year impacted by the pandemic.
As a club, we forged through the uncertainty of 2020, unknowing how the club season would unfold. In May and June, the constant change of governmental Covid regulations required the board to be flexible and creative, always focusing on providing a safe club experience for the membership. There was a time, early on, when the board considered not opening for the 2020 season; but we recognized the need for the membership to be together, in whatever fashion we could provide.
The resulting 2020 Cazenovia Club season transitioned through many different phases; the on-boarding of a new Manager/Chef who quickly adapted to offer take-out dinners, followed by temperature checks and social distancing and masks in the main dining room, followed by the final shift to “small plates by the lakeside” four nights a week.
We have survived a challenging year as a club, and even with the numerous cancellations of weddings and private parties, we will end the year with a loss that is manageable. Much of that financial result is due to the extreme generosity of the membership and their willingness to volunteer contributions to the Covid Fund to assist the club through this financial challenge. Approximately 50% of the membership donated to the club voluntarily, and we anticipate that with the Employee Retention Credit at year end (part of the CARES Act) we wil end the year with a bearable $10,000-$20,000 shortfall.
Our new manager/chef Cory Estelle accepted the position and challenge to learn how the club operated in late February. He was eager to learn the traditional culture and pulse of the club. However the Covid Virus took Cory down a non-traditional path. With his cooperation and required flexibility, Cory learned a new way of operating the Club.
On the grounds side of things; the playing of tennis, the youth program, and the waterfront were popular all season long. People needed the escape from the seclusion in their homes and the Club provided that respite. Certainly, we had to implement some caution and new rules and regulations but we enjoyed the property just the same.
The season is now over. The boats are away, the clubhouse closed, and only a few weeks remain for tennis. It was a new club experience for everyone. We are all hopeful that the 2021 season will return to normalcy.
Thank you again for helping our special and unique club through the uncharted waters of 2020.
Sincerely,
Charles Andrews
President