President’s message
David Erwin, President
As 2016 comes to a close, it is the time to review the significant events and advances during the year:
The following could not have occurred were it not for my fellow Board members who put many hours of time and effort to benefit IronOaks. I truly believe that the successes were the result of cooperation and discussion. At our first Board meeting we made a commitment to address the Food and Beverage issue, the management structure and assure that our core values were maintained.
Food and Beverage – The solution to the financial issue and future of our restaurant operations took a bold turn by last year’s Board. The evaluation and conclusion was that we needed a dedicated professional organization to guide us to an attainable solution. That company is BlueStar. They are experienced and successful. Continuing with that concept, this entire Board worked with BlueStar for over six months to develop not only a comprehensive design, but also a tried and proven operation and marketing plan. This was to be a total change and not the redecoration of the existing facility.
Stone & Barrel is now open and offers a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere! We have a professional management team. Trish Huff, the Executive Director for Lifestyles, has assembled a new staff that is courteous and smiling. The new menus offer variety and the quality is excellent. Based on the comments of many homeowners and visitors the results appear to have exceeded even the expectations of BlueStar. Thank you all for your support. If you haven’t tried Stone & Barrel, you should. You will have a great time and great food!
Management and Organization- During the period we were without a General Manger and recruiting, the Board realized that the daily operation would need support and decisions made. What was discovered was that many of our processes needed to be reviewed and updated. After a great deal of deliberation, it was decided that both our amenities and the HOA management of IronOaks should have a professional team at the helm. We interviewed a number of management companies that served communities similar to IronOaks. Ultimately, it was decided to engage two management companies. One strong in amenities management (BlueStar) and one strong in the HOA management services (Associa).
As I mentioned earlier, the Food and Beverage operation is obviously on a path of improvement and success. That’s only part of the story. We have also seen similar results in our golf courses, offerings and classes at the Fitness and Racquet Center.
The HOA management area is headed by Brian Quillen. Brian has years of experience as a General Manager of a number of HOAs as well as a background in the hospitality industry. He has a well-organized staff and documented procedures for efficiency. The daily and monthly tasks accomplished by his staff are numerous, from street coatings, clubhouse paintings, landscape maintenance, communications, Patrol and gates updates, etc. All performed with an emphasis on quality, efficiency and cost.
Thank you – it is a pleasure to serve the Homeowners of IronOaks.
Ironwood looks great!
The newly renovated Ironwood golf course.
IronOaks Golf conditions “best in years”
The newly-renovated course at Ironwood Golf Club has garnered praise from IronOaks members as well as the public since re-opening in the fall. From the improved greens and new irrigation system to the configured tees, the course plays fast and challenges all levels of players.
The renovations at Ironwood are part of a multi-year project that included improvements at Oakwood Golf Club and two of the three nine-hole configurations there. Approximately $1.7 million was spent to upgrade the Ironwood course.
“For our members and the general public, this investment means our courses are in the best shape they have been for quite some time,” said Eddie Renio, Head Golf Professional at IronOaks. “For instance, over at Ironwood we rebuilt many of the sand traps and have planted a longer-type of grass on the fairways, improving the game for many of our golfers.”
Reservations for either course can be made by visiting www.ironoaksaz.com or by calling the Oakwood Pro Shop at 480-895-1159.
IronOaks January activities
Team Trivia every Wednesday and Thursday at Ironwood from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Full menu available.
Texas Hold ‘Em at Ironwood on Tuesdays from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Prizes given away. Start with 2,000 free chips and win the pot.
Farmer’s Market on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the Arts and Crafts parking lot.
Ladies Billiards every Tuesday in the Oakwood Billiards Room from 9:00-11:00 a m. Contact Michelle Behanna at 480-357-4231 for further information.
Tickets are still available for some of the Billboard Series Shows. Call 480-895-7275 for further information or to purchase tickets.
The Stone & Barrel is open seven days a week for breakfast lunch and dinner.
The hours are as follows:
Sunday through Thursday – 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday – 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Prime Rib Night on Saturdays
Come enjoy the food, have a beverage and watch the sunset on the patio. Entertainment on most weekends.
Attention: new homeowners
Melva Edwards
You are eligible for a free round of golf for two, a free week of fitness, a free week of tennis and a BOGO meal at any IronOaks restaurant. All you have to do is call the IronOaks Welcome Committee c/o Howard Lundgren at 480-369-2015 or email him at [email protected] to receive your new homeowner’s canvas tote filled with useful information about your community.