City sports club gets a makeover

CEBU, Philippines - Since it opened in 2001, the City Sports Club Cebu,  an urban resort right at the heart of one of Cebu's progressive business enclave, has been a staple in the lifestyle of its members. But as with all institutions, it is only inevitable to have to keep up with change.

"We saw the need to upgrade our facilities for the better enjoyment of the members and to improve the cost effectiveness of our operations," says Micmic Solon, the club's general manager.

Gig Jugo, a member of the CSCC board of directors and head of Ayala Land Premier, agrees. "We felt that for the club to remain competitive and attractive, it had to evolve with the times."

For the renovation, the CSCC partnered with Ayala Land Inc., who brought in their team of designers to give the club a modern and breezy look. "The design is a collaborative effort between the CSCC directors, club operations, Ayala Land, in-house designers and external design consultants," says Manny Illana, the senior architect of the Ayala Land Innovation and Design Group. The new design will feature a consistently modern feel, with open spaces that take advantage of natural lighting and ventilation.

The fruits of the renovation will be unveiled to the public in the next few months, with some select spaces that have recently opened to give members a sneak peek at what's to come. The gym, for example, merited from a facelift, considering how most people lean toward a healthier lifestyle. "This is one of the more heavily patronized facilities of the club," says Micmic. "We needed to have more space and equipment to serve the members during peak hours."

The result is a brighter space with top-of-the-line equipment, which include the Integrity Series cardio machines with iPod compatibility. Medically trained personal trainers are at hand to assist; while to one side is a dance and aerobic area with taraflex flooring.

The Colon Room also saw a change, moving to where the business center used to be and decorated with alternating wood and mirror panels for visual contrast.

CSCC also unveiled a new dining outlet last October with Bistro88, an Asian-Mediterranean restaurant with relaxed modern interiors. The neutral color palette is complemented by accents of wood, glass and metal, which is a fitting background to the menu prepared by executive chef Brian Bersonda and his team, which includes Asian lime pork ribs, Hainanese chicken and variety of pizzas. Throughout the day, members have already made Bistro88 their dining destination of choice, coming in for meals, business and social meetings. By 9:30 PM, the lights dim, and the bar starts serving up Asian-inspired cocktails.

If Bistro88's success is any indication, it's clear that the CSCC renovation is a step in the right direction. "We hope that these renovations will re-energize the club, bring in members who have not visited us for a long time, and even attract new members," says Gig. "Already, we are seeing new faces in The Bistro, which to us is a good sign that it's working."

What remains the same, though, is the CSCC's welcoming sense of community, which is, in the end, what being part of a country club is all about. "It's going to be an environment where members can be alone or spend time with family, friends or business colleagues in a place that is welcoming and comfortable." With that achieved, City Sports Club Cebu celebrates the good life and will continue to be a fixture of lifestyle for years to come.

For inquiries on club shares please contact Ayala Land Sales Inc. (Cebu) at 417-1777. (FREEMAN)