While adults were having cocktails, the kids flipped into the pool and dined in the summer sun with burgers, blue and orange striped umbrellas. Nearby, families deviate from the newly remade tennis court. But it is impossible to notice a burnt and empty landscape besides the cool splash and friendship.
Altadena Town & Country Club is a legendary institution that was destroyed in the Eaton Fire and employment of a foothill town that has been more than a century old. On Sunday, it reopened.
The noise of the crowd gathered since the January fires is a noticeable change compared to the silence that ruled in Altadena.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park)’s congressional district includes Altadena, who reopened two nights after the January 7 disaster and recalled the country club area.
“I can’t believe my eyes,” Zhu said. “I still see the flames around different parts of the ruins.”
Los Angeles County suffered a lot of devastating losses in January’s Eaton and Palisade fires. At least 31 people were killed (Although the death toll may be higher And destroyed more than 9,000 structures.
The club’s losses first opened in 1910, not only affecting its members. The facilities also host local fundraising events, municipal government meetings, Altadena Rotary Club parties, high school dances and church events, and more.
Board Chairman Rebecca Stokes said: “While it is a private club, the ATCC is very open to the community and is important to the community.”
The club boasts a luxurious pool, multiple tennis and pickle courts, a fitness center, dining options and several banquet halls, providing members with an all-inclusive resort feel and offers the convenience of a community entertainment center – a monthly price of $465. On Sunday, as construction of other facilities continues, the hall, pool and pickles and tennis courts are all on display.
The Altadena Club first opened in 1910 and celebrated its reopening on Sunday.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
The Country Club is the place to shoot for years. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) signs into a hotel in an episode of “Mad Men, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber, and is addicted to some poolside hanging out in the 115-year-old music video, their single “I don’t care.Jamie Lee CurtisFriday’s weird. ”
But, besides its history and amenities, the club is important to the Altadena economy Hire about 120 peoplemany of them are locals. Now, working at the facility, there are about a dozen, distributed between all and part-time workers. Stokes said he hopes that once the club’s dining facilities are fully operational, he hopes to continue to rehire more employees.
Nearly eight months after the fire, hundreds of community members bravely carried out the 95-degree Heat to celebrate and soft-start.
Philip Pearson, a member of the club’s 18-year, was pleased with the event, but still felt unbalanced.
“It’s great to have everyone back here, but it’s not the case,” he said.
His family is a lucky few, and their houses have not escalated in the fire. After seven months of displacement, the family moved back three weeks ago.
“It’s weird. You’re driving in the corner here, you think the situation will be the same, you just hit it again and again, which is the fact that you’ll never really be the same, so you’ll do your best,” the 49-year-old said. “So, it’s really great to be in this kind of event today.”
Members of the club 17% Lost homes, and more or are still displaced.
Stokes told The Times that Sunday’s function was the product of a huge effort.
“We are adjacent to the municipal golf course Army Corps of Engineers clears the stage area as debrisuntil May, we thought they would be there until the end of the year, but they got their Record the work done in time,” Stokes said. “So we realized we could be back on the scene earlier and we just decided to do it. ”
Community members gathered at the Altadena Town & Country Club.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
She hasn’t returned to her Altadena home since the fire and has been living “we packed our suitcases on January 7”. Although her house still stood, many of her neighbors’ houses were burned down.
“I think it would be an inspiration for the entire community when they drive along Mendocino Avenue to see some hustle and bustle and do really active activities,” Stokes said. “One of the weird things after the fire is that I met the neighbors of the target and we would hug, cry and chase. We used to be within walking distance. … Now we don’t know where the community members are.”
She said she hopes to make the rebuilt club “very healed” as a community focus.
Stokes said the club is aware of the ongoing air quality and Soil toxin problem in the area.
She said before the club reopened, members hoped to “complete many golf courses with silicon dioxide at the golf course.”
According to this extended exposure of lung dust, it can lead to lung scarring and inflammation, which in turn can lead to more severe lung disease. American lung.
“We have done air quality monitoring. We have done soil testing and luckily our soil itself does not need any remedy.”
Rep. Judy Chu presented certificates to the leadership of the town of Altadna and Country Club when it reopened.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Chu said she hopes the day’s celebrations prove the resilience of the community.
“It’s a reflection of all the energy and commitment of the people associated with this center. Rebuilding this space is not a trivial matter,” Chu said.
Before all spokespersons ended, Stokes made the announcement to the club members.
“We’ve heard your feedback in terms of fees. We’ve cut the pencil and recalibrated our financial model,” Stokes said. “My announcement is to suspend dues by at least the end of the year.”
