Rustic Renewal

The timeless design of the poolside locker rooms at Birchwood Farms G&CC adds the little things that count and the big things that shine.

Following its promise of providing a pristine, relaxing getaway for members, Birchwood Farms Golf & Country Club in Harbor Springs, Mich., recently transformed its poolside locker rooms into an elegant space that keeps true to its North Michigan roots.

The locker-room renovation was central to a $1.9 million North End improvement project undertaken at the start of 2016 that also included a renovation of the tennis pro shop, which now connects to the locker rooms; replacement of the 40-year-old main pool and family pool; addition of a children’s playground area; and a new “Three-Way” Snack Bar (named for the three parties that will use it: golfers, tennis players and pool-goers).

DESIGN SNAPSHOT
Birchwood Farms Golf & Country Club
Harbor Springs, Mich.Architect: Fred Hackl
Cost: $300,000
Flooring: Non-slip stone tile
Countertops: Quartz
Size: 600 sq. ft. each

“The North End was an important project for us to get right,” says General Manager and COO Jeff Anderson. “Anchored by the new pools, it is a hub for all outdoor activities at Birchwood, and the perfect place for families to make memories.”

The locker rooms at the North End, Anderson explains, are utilized not only for the pools, but also for the club’s court sports (tennis and pickleball) and bocce amenities, as well as by snack-bar patrons and golfers who find their way to that area.

To ensure that the locker rooms could function properly for all these purposes, both the men’s and women’s spaces, each measuring 600 sq. ft., were completely renovated from the sub floor to the ceiling trusses. The women’s locker room also added changing rooms and shower doors in place of curtains.

Pine is used throughout both locker rooms at Birchwood Farms G&CC, and a family restroom with safer non-slip tiles was installed for members with young children.

Other improvements for both rooms included new vanities with quartz counter tops, wooden lockers and cubbies, and updated fixtures that match the décor. Combined with the use of neutral colors, pine wood accents, stone tile, clean lines and recessed lighting, the improvements created a look the club believes will be timeless.

For extra convenience to members with small children, a family restroom was installed, and the old floor tiles, which had become a safety issue for young children, were replaced with non-slip, stone tile.

The club allotted $300,000 for the locker rooms themselves. The architect for the North End renovations, Fred Hackl, worked with a committee to bring to life their visions of modernized locker rooms within six months.

“Member response has been phenomenal,” says Anderson. “The members have commented how wonderful the lockers look, compared to the old locker rooms.”