At Home in Westwood - Since 1985!

The Westwood Club is the hub of the community in my opinion.  It’s run very much the same today as when my children were young, just  a few more rules for a lot more people.  Having sat on the board for more than three years, and come to know the underpinnings, it’s actually a marvel!  For the most part, we bring our children, pop them in the swings, quake as they learn to climb up and whiz down the slides, dig in the sand, splash about in the kiddie pool, then graduate to the Olympic size one.  Both pools  are continuously monitored for ph levels, and overall cleanliness.  Now my grandchildren are taking swimming lessons, provided by life guards who had them jumping off the  two diving boards on day one, and eventually – the Jacuzzi!  There are showers, a sauna, and reserved lap times for serious swimmers.  A new feature is movies, shown while the kids swim!

The nearby weight room has grown over the years, providing the equipment of most small gyms, plus lessons how to use them safely.  There is an indoor, two court racquetball court, and an outdoor practice wall. 

In more recent years, a miniature golf course has been added, and my kids love it, though they never seem to get the ball in the hole!  I’m sure others with the patience of a one-day golfer, do.  Don’t want to forget the yoga and other fitness classes offered in the lounge.

Ballfields  abound:  Baseball and softball, volleyball, and Basketball – Indoor and outdoor.  The grass is always healthy, trimmed, and inviting.  There are eight Tennis courts, and lessons are available.  There are two pool tables available, one more for the youngsters – attached to the mini store full of drinks and snacks.  The other is for older teens and adults.  Works better that way!

In the middle of the grounds there is a gazebo and a green grassy area surrounded by picnic tables, barbecues, shuffleboard, horse shoes, and an overall picnic & play area that is great for parties.  I had my step-daughter’s sweet sixteen party here, various company picnics, and my twins’ first few birthday parties to name a few!

There is a community room used for public voting, Board Meetings,  Architectural Committee meetings, and other meetings pertaining to the Community.  Speaking of the Architectural Committee, this is the Governing Board of the community, which exercises the CC&R’s (Community Regulations).  While some people view CC&R’s as imposed on them, the fact is, the community they govern votes on these rules that keep the community up to par. 

Last but certainly not least, is the Pre-school.  No other community center has this, and the Westwood Preschool has been in operation about  25 years!  What a fantastic spot for the kids.  In fact, they had the same beloved Director for over twenty years, and when she retired, she stayed on as a teacher. 

The club is not just comprised of facilities, it has activities throughout the year, that bring the community together.  There is an annual spaghetti dinner each fall in the Multi-purpose room, where the new board is inducted in.  An annual carnival  finds the center grassy area full of games, a cake walk, rock climbing wall, even pony rides in the lower field, as I recall.  In spring, there’s an Easter Egg hunt, and children bring their baskets and fill them with plastic eggs full of goodies!  All summer long, there are camps offered which include a weekly trip to such places as the Zoo.  There’s even a sleep over, where parents can pitch a tent with their kids!

 Not the least of the pleasure of the Westwood Club is how beautifully the grounds are managed.  The grass is always green, trimmed, aerated, fertilized appropriately.  Flowers grace the entrance year round.  The fences painted.  The pool and surrounding deck full of lounge chairs and tables, always  clean and in perfect working condition, likewise the showers and rest rooms, weight room equipment.  Even the parking lot is in perfect repair, particularly given the steady flow of traffic all day, every day.