Club preview brings cash for attack victims

June Casagrande

MARINERS MILE -- Members getting their first glimpse at the new face

of the Balboa Bay Club also got a chance to make a difference for New

York firefighters this weekend.

At an open house on Sunday, club members made donations to the Fire

Department 911 Fund -- a charity for the families of firefighters killed

or injured in the New York terrorist attacks this month.

Newport Beach Fire Department representatives at the opening collected

about $29,000 in donations for the fund, which will be matched by Balboa

Bay Club owner Beverly Ray.

The members-only gathering, which drew between 1,200 and 1,500 people,

showcased facilities such as the new clubhouse.

About 30 banquet workers’ jobs were eliminated last week when the old

clubhouse closed because club’s banquet facilities are no longer there,

said Henry Schielein, president and chief operating officer of the club.

Banquet space will be among the facilities that open in 2003, when all

the club’s improvements are complete, Schielein said.

Member facilities showcased Sunday as part of the $55-million

renovations will officially open Monday. Posh additions to the clubhouse

will include spas, a fitness center with racquetball and basketball

courts, a child-care facility, pro shop, a bar lounge and an

indoor-outdoor restaurant.

In January 2003, public facilities will open. They include a 131-room

luxury hotel with banquet rooms.

The Balboa Bay Club is something of a local legend. In its 52-year

history, it has welcomed dignitaries from the fields of entertainment,

sports and politics. Ronald Reagan, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Jack

Benny, Lauren Bacall and Greta Garbo are among those who have passed time

at the club.

“The reopening of this landmark signifies the positive belief in the

bright future of Orange County and in particular Newport Beach,” said

Bruce Cook, a spokesman for the club,editor of its Bay Window magazine

and the Pilot’s society columnist.

He added that Sunday’s fund-raiser was an encouraging show of

generosity and a good way for the club to help the community and the

country.

Newport Beach Fire Department spokesman Lt. John Blauer said Sunday’s

open house allowed the Fire Department to get involved in the local

community and help the New York tragedy at the same time.

“We’re really excited we were able to get involved for such a worthy

cause,” Blauer said.