looking for some info on dues - is it reasonable?
is it crowded? what is the pool like? the food scene? lots of screaming kids running around? any input on the place would be helpful
thanks

As the Lower Northwest of the city revives and becomes more wealthy, GCC is becoming fancier; when we joined eight years ago it was essentially open admissions, and is still relatively lenient, although now the club actually collects initiation fees.

It is the most athletic of its peer clubs; people join because they love squash or tennis, not for the social cachet. The club has been continually upgrading the kitchen and staff for the past eight years, and the last time we went the food was excellent, but, again, this is not Merion or Philadelphia - the members are first and foremost concerned about tennis and squash.

I feel that the pool is sort of an afterthought, and this might sound snotty, but the pool either brings out the worst in people or has a less refined clientele. Either way, I feel that the food at the pool is pretty lousy and there is far too little shade. The club has struggled with getting good people at the pool. That said, my kids really love going to the pool. Not surprisingly, the tennis and squash staffs have been excellent for all of the past eight years, unlike the pool and catering staffs.

I feel that the dues are reasonable to cheap, especially if one spouse is under 35, and the membership of the club, while overly heavy on lawyers, is interesting and relatively diverse. There is presently a large investment going into banquet facilities in an attempt to grab a larger (that is, greater than zero) share of weddings and the like. There have recently been opera dinners, and they have been fun. My wife and kids love being members, and it is alot better than the closest thing I had in my childhood, which is membership in Marble Hall Swim Club, which is no more. I would highly recommend a family membership.

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Thanks for the info, billy ross. What do you mean by "reasonable to cheap"?

thanks for the info - i went to the website the other day and decided to post here looking for some valuable info from members/people in the know -

i want access to a fun pool that is not totally overrun with rambunctious children and my husband loves squash

we will visit soon

thanks for the info - most helpful

i want a pool, husband wants squash - sounds like it might be a good fit

So there is no actual cricket pitch on their grounds? Was it started at first as a cricket-playing grounds and club? I have driven around that area during one of my trips to Philly and found the area to be beautiful, green, and well-kept. It felt stately!

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Are you sure you meant Germantown (i.e. GCC)and not Chestnut Hill (Philly Cricket)? GCC has a cricket team and it is fairly good - I think that they beat Hoboken last time I watched them. The cricket pitch is converted to grass tennis at some point, so the cricket season must be short. Yes, the club was founded as a cricket club; on the walls are interesting prints from Harper's from the 1880's showing events at GCC.

Hey Billy,

Wasn't Big Bill Tilden, a tennis champ from like the 20's, a member there? Figured you might know that before I go and google him.

Rich

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http://www.britannica.com/eb/article...76/Bill-Tilden

Ok, I couldn't hold out. Yes he was. Read his Wikopedia thingy. Pretty interesting life he led.

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Rich McIlhenny
Re/Max Services Inc.
www.Richmachomes.com
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