Fate of WAC still up in air, Other GMVA Issues Discussed

06/21/2006
By Tiffany Williams, Courier staff

THE WOODLANDS-The fate of the Woodlands Athletic Club is still uncertain, according to Tim Welbes, co-president of The Woodlands Development Company. Welbes met with Grogan's Mill residents to answer questions on behalf of TWDC during the village association's monthly meeting Monday.

In April, TWDC gave members of the WAC, located at 1111 Winterberry Place, notice that programs at the club would be phased out in 2008 and offered a limited-time discount membership to the nearby Woodlands Country Club, 2301 North Millbend. However, Welbes said considerations for "people with swimming interests" might determine the timeline for the company to close the athletic facility, if it is closed at all.

Olympic gold medalist Laura Wilkinson, a diver, trains at the center, which features a 25-meter indoor pool, a heated 50-meter outdoor pool, a spring-based diving tank and 5-, 7 1/2- and 10-meter diving boards. "We're going to keep the WAC open as long as Wilkinson is training," Welbes said. "Plans are still up in the air. We don't want to see it close."

Some residents suggested other uses for the facility. Tom Campbell, who sits on The Woodlands Community Association board of directors, recommended TWDC sell the WAC to another athletic entity. Bruce Cunningham, president of the Grogan's Mill Village Association board, said the board wrote a letter to the Community Associations of The Woodlands recreation committee nudging them to buy and convert it into a community facility.

Welbes said TWDC would consider any offer given. "There isn't a plan in place that would override a sell," Welbes said at the meeting. He verified the WAC has been a drain for TWDC financially, despite what one resident asked were "concerted efforts to make it profitable."

According to a press release from TWDC published in mid-April, Welbes said the company is considering options for the land currently occupied by the WAC, including residential townhomes or condominiums. However, at Monday's meeting Welbes said residential sales aren't the only possible uses for the land that will be considered. He said many unanswered questions, like the stability of the nearby Grogan's Mill Village Center, will contribute to the company's decision about the WAC.

In April, the company was also considering an expansion of The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, also located at 2301 North Millbend. More than 20 residents filled seats at the meeting to express to Welbes their interest in what one resident called, "maintaining Grogan's Mill." It was one of the most attended meetings in the village association's history, Cunningham said.

"I'm concerned about the Woodlands Athletic Club and (Grogan's Mill) shopping center," Brad Fuller said. "Sometimes we feel like the forgotten stepchildren at this end of The Woodlands," said resident Robie Avalos, who attended the meeting with her husband Daniel.

GM Village Center: Cunningham said store owners and managers in the Grogan's Mill Shopping Center have formed a Merchant's Association to combat declining patronage in the center. He said photos and information about each store will be published on the village association's Web site, which is what Cunningham calls "a major vehicle for revitalizing the shopping center."

The fortitude of the center has been a point of concern for village representatives, residents and property owners since last fall. Cunningham said better advertising and signage, as well as Wi-Fi Internet access and community events, might bring residents to the center.Kelly Barry, a representative from PM Realty, which manages the property, offered support to keep the stores there thriving.

Speed bumps: Village representatives decided to request help from Commissioner Ed Chance in the fight against reckless drivers after many complaints from homeowners who live near Maple Branch Street and Nursery Road. The problem, treasurer Joe Giovanneillo said, has been frequent, and representatives would like to see stop signs or speed bumps in the area to slow down speeders.

Whole Foods: Some residents, including Martha Ann and Fred Kaddel, received organic foods surveys from Whole Foods. However, Tim Welbes said although the organic grocery store has inquired about buying land in The Woodlands in the past, no plans are currently in place for Whole Foods to come to the master-planned community yet. Welbes didn't name the store, but he also said a competitor of Whole Foods was "looking seriously at The Woodlands" at one time.

Tiffany Williams can be reached at twilliams@hcnonline.com.