Akwa Going Members Only

[thinkxingu]

Just saw a post on the iBoat Facebook page that Akwa Marina is closing to the public and will be members only next year.

Thoughts?

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[8gv]

In this case I agree with Groucho Marx:

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."

[WinnisquamZ]

Wondering if that includes the bar?


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[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Wondering if that includes the bar?


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Their website now reads that the beach bar is "members only". This is unfortunate, as we have enjoyed going there for the last 7 or 8 years since my daughter worked there summers in college.

I would guess that they've got enough business from their members that they no longer need "the public". Plus, I would also guess that paying members probably complained that "outsiders" were clogging up the bar and restaurant

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Wondering if that includes the bar?


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Yes, it specifically states the bar. They can kiss my business goodbye!

[ishoot308]

That's too bad but I kind of understand...If you were a paying member but could hardly use the restaurant / bar because it was always packed by non members or boaters, the membership probably raised a stink...not saying it's right or wrong, that's just my guess...

Too bad that was one of my favorite stops on the lake...Guess I will just have to keep to my old stomping grounds...The Welch Island Tiki Bar!! ..."Where the rum is on tap and the torches are always lit"!!

Edited to add: Man, they are getting torched on IBOW Facebook!! People are really upset!!

Dan

[trackeer]

Money Grab,

Wife just saw this on the Facebook I boat Lake Wini, there are so many decent places to get food and drink, T-Bones (We own at Spinnaker) for us it's on the water almost pays you to eat there, the new Wiskey Tavern is apparently opening docks which have always been there.
Hey, if peeps want to pay for the privaledge to eat somewhere or drink it's there money, have at it.

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

That's too bad but I kind of understand...If you were a paying member but could hardly use the restaurant / bar because it was always packed by non members or boaters, the membership probably raised a stink...not saying it's right or wrong, that's just my guess...

Too bad that was one of my favorite stops on the lake...Guess I will just have to keep to my old stomping grounds...The Welch Island Tiki Bar!! ..."Where the rum is on tap and the torches are always lit"!!

Edited to add: Man, they are getting torched on IBOW Facebook!! People are really upset!!

Dan

And...they make deliveries!!!



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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by steve-on-mark

And...they make deliveries!!!



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Too funny!!!

Dan

[Biggd]

I wonder if Harts is giving up on it next year, could be why they are going members only.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I wonder if Harts is giving up on it next year, could be why they are going members only.

I thoughts Hart's was already out of there a while ago...could be wrong but I thought that is what I had heard...

Every time I have gone there this summer the food, drinks and service was great!! See my previous post regarding Akwa...

Dan

[pjard]

It's not cheap either....don't quote me exactly but like $4K per year and $250 per month for membership. I have good water access in Gilford (town beach and marina) so the real only value to me is the restaruant. We never had a bad meal or experience there. We will miss it but this is a business decision to me. That family has made some good business moves the last several years. It will be interesting to watch this unfold.

[Loub52]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Yes, it specifically states the bar. They can kiss my business goodbye!

Agree. Seems like a poor decision on Aqua Marinas part. Really enjoy going by boat several times every year to enjoy the menu, view and to support the great staff.

[8gv]

Oh and...

https://youtu.be/4gi9zFRBCIM?si=dfaxxeG8hjkefm3o

[BroadHopper]

Kurt told me a while ago that Akwa Soliel members have deeded rights to the marina. They temporarily rented the gazebo and the slips out to pay for expenses until there were enough units sold to sustain the marina.

Now that it had come to this, I wonder how long the boat club will last?

[steve-on-mark]

Here's what I know.... from the initial design phase, it was planned that at some point the beach bar would become a private amenity for the members...that was promised to them. It has become busy enough that the decision was made to implement that change next spring. Current members sometimes have to wait for seating and service because non members are taking up space... I get it. Harts will be back running the show next season, and the boat club is very successful and not going away anytime soon.
Looks like the Welch Island Tiki Bar is gonna have to step up to the plate and expand their docking capabilities!! ;-)

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I thoughts Hart's was already out of there a while ago...could be wrong but I thought that is what I had heard...

Every time I have gone there this summer the food, drinks and service was great!! See my previous post regarding Akwa...

Dan

The bartender at Akwa moved over to Frog Rock. I asked him when Frog Rock opened back up if they were still running Akwa and he said yes. But that may have changed now after this season.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by steve-on-mark

Here's what I know.... from the initial design phase, it was planned that at some point the beach bar would become a private amenity for the members...that was promised to them. It has become busy enough that the decision was made to implement that change next spring. Current members sometimes have to wait for seating and service because non members are taking up space... I get it. Harts will be back running the show next season, and the boat club is very successful and not going away anytime soon.
Looks like the Welch Island Tiki Bar is gonna have to step up to the plate and expand their docking capabilities!! ;-)

I also know that some of the other issues there were guests going there for lunch and allowing their children to use the pool and other member only facilities. That certainly is not right to those that own or pay to stay there so I get the dissatisfaction from paying members…Sounds like Kurt is trying to do what’s right and what he promised to the membership…..

Dan

Dan

[thinkxingu]

I'd originally posted asking about the docks and whether they're public or not, but I got my answer—they're completely private.

This is a difficult issue for me—on the one hand, members might not have access to what they are paying for; on the other is the loss of access to something great by the public.

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[The Real BigGuy]

It looks like the only real issue here is that non-members didn’t understand how the ownership deal was structured and were surprised by the move to members only. People use a faculty for free and are shocked when the freebie goes away. I have a simple solution for those that are complaining or beating management up for the decision. Buy a membership!!


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[Biggd]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

It looks like the only real issue here is that non-members didn’t understand how the ownership deal was structured and were surprised by the move to members only. People use a faculty for free and are shocked when the freebie goes away. I have a simple solution for those that are complaining or beating management up for the decision. Buy a membership!!


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My wife and I went there a half dozen times, only once by boat. I never thought the food was all that great but it was nice to sit by the water and have a few cocktails.
That being said, there are plenty of other places that offer the same with better food. It's not that big a deal and good for the paying members, IMO.

[Descant]

I hear a few memberships are still available with a discount for folks joining now. $4000 initiation fee and $3000/year dues after that. It's not clear if that means I will always be able to find dock space. Never a problem so far. Never been there by car.

[WinnisquamZ]

Cost of boating on Winnipesaukee becomes unrealistic for most


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[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Cost of boating on Winnipesaukee becomes unrealistic for most

Not just boating.

Try buying some nice lakefront property.

The days of the Common Man being able to afford to vacation at the big lake are pretty much over.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I'd originally posted asking about the docks and whether they're public or not, but I got my answer—they're completely private.

This is a difficult issue for me—on the one hand, members might not have access to what they are paying for; on the other is the loss of access to something great by the public.

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sounds like a bait and switch, they had to of had specific items to become a marina and be able to set up and so and it was public, much like the year they added the extra docks for the public to use for the bar area. Now it is all private which they never would have been able to do what they did with such a small amount of waterfront if they were private from the beginning

[The Real BigGuy]

No “bait & switch.” They never promised the public use in perpetuity. And I’m not sure how this situation has any effect on the “cost of boating” on Winnipesaukee. When you bought your boat it didn’t come with a certificate for docking at public, never mind private, restaurants and/or bars.


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[brk-lnt]

I'm surprised it took so long (and I don't mean that in a bad way).

I thought everyone already understand that was never meant to be a long-term public facility.

Kurt is a smart guy and knows how to manage his business most effectively for their core customer (members).

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Cost of boating on Winnipesaukee becomes unrealistic for most
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That is for sure. You can tell because the lake is never crowded anymore................

[Woodsy]

Like anyone goes to Akwa anyway? Pretty steep fee structure for a private club that doesn't offer anything other than a pool and a restaurant. Plenty of other places to have a drink lakeside... and you don't have the train horn every hour or so!

Woodsy

[Cobalt 12]

Originally Posted by AC2717

sounds like a bait and switch, they had to of had specific items to become a marina and be able to set up and so and it was public, much like the year they added the extra docks for the public to use for the bar area. Now it is all private which they never would have been able to do what they did with such a small amount of waterfront if they were private from the beginning

Looks like someone was thinking outside the box. And their plan worked out quite well. Planning ahead is always a great strategy.