Ian CULLY, who died on 25 January, was a longstanding and valued member of the SAC - together of course with his wife Pat who was very active on the membership front. Ian was a keen member of the cricket team, causing bewilderment amongst opposing batsmen with his Burmese brand of spin bowling. Still under the sports heading, he was once a cunning squash player and became a keen golfer when Villarceaux became the main venue for new and existing SAC golfers. More importantly no doubt, Ian was a major figure on the SAC Management team, serving for many years as Club Treasurer at a time when the Club was fortunate enough to have many more members than at present. See the main article for details about the funeral arrangements (12 February).
It is our pleasure to wish all Members and their families the very best for 2025.
The changing over of the calendar also gives us an opportunity to look back on 2024 and forward to what we would like to achieve for our “Shared Second Home” in 2025.
2024 was a year of continued steady progress, coupled with planning for further major improvements in 2025:
- Continuity. We continued on the path of steady physical and financial improvement that we have followed since 2020. While the accounts are not yet in, we do have a good overall view on 2024
- Our brand new basketball court, fencing and net (Click for a photo of the net; or of the court in use).
- Preparation for final stages of repair of the Club’s historic pavillon (built by the British Army in 1946 to replace the old Clubhouse, destroyed by the retreating occupying army). We have relocated the container which had been damaging the Clubhouse and had prevented us from repairing and painting the final 10% of the siding. (Click for photo). This will now be repaired in spring 2025.
- We expect to be profitable once again: i.e., the Club is generating the funds necessary to funds our day-to-day activities, and the average long-term replacement of our infrastructure
- An increasingly healthy overall “balance sheet” situation, with debt payments declining
- Concretely, we can see this in continued investments
- A re-launch of our social media presence (particularly Instagram)
- Planning for 2025
- Members approved the pool project and financing in June 2024: there has been much work behind the scenes to complete the project financing, obtain the necessary authorisations, and begin the work. (Click for photo)
- Plans for increased activity at the Club (as voted for at the AGM), with initial steps around children’s activities.
- Padel: the Padel sub-committee is hard at work and will lead to recommendations for discussions at our 2025 AGM.
What, therefore, do we hope to achieve in 2025? 3 items are on top of the MC agenda.
- Pool, pool, pool and pool. We are looking forward to re-opening our pool for this year’s season. This is a €400K investment which will provide joy to Members for decades to come.
- Activities.
- You may already have noticed additional “family friendly” activities. Sarah has brought new leadership and energy to this vital work, with more planned for this year.
- Bar and Restaurant: More activity as we improve food offerings.
- Cleaning: A new approach, with an external provider who is giving us much-imporved service service. This has also freed up the apartment previously occupied by our on-site cleaner, with potential to convert this space for wider use.
- Front desk: Increased staffing levels over the spring and summer months.
- New international Members. The new pool will provide a great excuse for a party and a chance for us all to show off our “Shared Second Home”. With a new pool, 5 new tennis courts, and a new basketball court, we will again have facilities to be proud of.
From Sunday 01 to Monday 30 September 2024
Club hours
Monday to Thursday: 8 am to 9 pm; Friday: 8 am to 10 pm
Saturday: 9 am to 10 pm; Sunday: 9 am to 9 pm
Bar hours
(Bar closes 15 minutes before the Club closes)
Monday to Thursday: 11 am to 8:45 pm; Friday: 11 am to 9:45 pm
Saturday: 10 am to 9:45 pm; Sunday: 10 am to 8:45 pm.
