Phoenix Club
Usage

From the ashes of the bankruptcy of High Country Club, once one of the leading destination clubs in the sector in terms of members and growth, emerged The Phoenix Club.

Created by former members and creditors of the club, The Phoenix Club would be formally introduced to the 375 former members of High Country Club in a letter from Thomas F. Quinn, counsel for the young destination club, in August of 2009.

While vauge, the brief introduction offered potential members some insight into the planned club structure.

"Our plan for reorganization is based upon making the same properties being available for use by the members at a cost less than the annual membership dues paid by the members in 2008," wrote Quinn. "Our plan does not require existing members to pay any down payment and there are no monthly or annual dues and no hidden fees. However, we must count on four weeks of use from each member. In order to keep your membership, each member will be required to make 4 one-week reservations and pay 60 days in advance of your trip. If you have to cancel we will refund 90% of your payment if another member books the property. If you decide not to pay 60 days prior to your reservation date we will release the property to other members and there will be no cost to you."

Based upon original estimates, members would have access to 27 properties, each having their own weekly rates based on the property and desired travel dates.

The club would reach out to members again in September of 2009 with additional details regarding the offering, including:

  • 200 members would be needed to make four weeks of reservations per year for the club to be viable.
  • The club has a target occupancy rate of approximately 70%.
  • The actual reservation system that would be used by the club would be decided upon once a sufficient number of members positively expressed interest in joining, at which point a member's committee would decide what structure would work best.
  • All reservations would be Saturday to Saturday but space available weekend usage would be available at "very good rates."
  • Additional services would be on an "actual cost basis."
  • Reservations could be made up to two years in advance.
  • The club may use a "lottery system or some other equitable method to guarantee equal access to each of the properties" during peak holiday season travel.

In the second communication with members, the club noted that they had reached over 10% of their 200 member goal with the vast majority of High Country Club's members not yet voicing their opinion on the club.

As The Phoenix Club progresses closer to their 200 membership requirement, more information will be revealed regarding the actual usage rules associated with the club. Check back frequently to learn more about the club and High Country Club's bankruptcy status.

If you have anything to contribute about The Phoenix Club, please feel free to contact us at contribute@destinationclubnews.com.