To:  New Orleans Athletic Club 

cc:  Mike Walters, General Manager

cc:  William More, Owner

Subject:  Reconsideration of the Proposed Changes to the NOAC Gymnasium

Date:  6/13/2013

 

Several NOAC members have taken exception to the proposed changes to the NOAC gymnasium that will permanently and fundamentally change and/or discontinue activities currently offered at the club. Members of the NOAC expect to be surveyed/consulted about such changes to the facility and activities. We believe that, as paying members to the club, we should have been able to give our input about such drastic changes to the offerings of the club. The link to our online petition can be found on the header/footer of this petition.  These concerns include, but are not limited to, the following issues brought forth by stakeholders:

• Members who primarily use the club as a place to play basketball. This group includes 20-50 members who regularly use full court basketball as their primary cardiovascular workout.

 

• Members who use the club primarily as a place to play volleyball. Volleyball is a very distinct and unique feature at NOAC that will be difficult to find at any other facility in the metro area. This group includes an estimated 20-30 members.

 

• Members who regularly play racquetball. Racquetball will be impacted by the proposed plan to place the basketball goals in the Racquetball courts.

 

• Members who believe the proposed funds could/should be used in a different manner, such as a renovation of the upstairs weight room as well as a much needed total renovation of the locker room/shower/steamroom facilities, which are well below standard for a high end athletic club.

 

• Members who are concerned that the proposed "cross fit" area will be used for traditional cross fit classes, which will result in additional fees for participation in the group training sessions.

 

• Members who believe that the NOAC gymnasium is a historical structure that deserves to be saved. The gymnasium has been in use for well over a century, has been used to film several motion pictures, and has even seen the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers use it's court to practice.

 

• Members who believe there are other spaces on the property that can be renovated and used for the proposed renovations while keeping the gymnasium in use.

 

• Members who, if the proposed changes take place, will expect concessions to be made to their contracts/membership agreements. These contracts were signed with the expectation the following activities would be offered: Full court basketball, volleyball, and racquetball. Elimination of these activities should allow for the option of voiding membership agreements without penalty.

 

In summary, we believe that the NOAC facilities -- including the men's locker room & shower/sauna area in particular  -- are in deplorable condition. Furthermore, the changes you propose will destroy an historic basketball area.  

 

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that if the rundown areas of the club are not renovated and the basketball courts are destroyed, we will seriously consider terminating our memberships and will refuse to pay any penalty since our membership contracts will have been breached by the NOAC and its owner.  

 

I hope you realize that the membership truly appreciates the clubs efforts to improve the facilities. However, I believe a large contingency of the membership have legitimate concerns about the issues listed above. Hopefully the leadership at NOAC will take this into consideration for the proposed renovation and all future changes that are considered.

 

We look forward to hearing your response,

 

NOAC Membership