The Glen Isle Community Clubhouse.
Glen Isle’s Community Clubhouse is known to many, many people in the Riva, Davidsonville, and Edgewater areas. It has been the site of hundreds of youth sport & club parties, years of holiday celebrations (private and public), weddings, and perhaps thousands of children’s birthday parties.
The Clubhouse –
Located at 2724 Pinecrest Drive, the Glen Isle Clubhouse has a long and varied history. Longtime residents recall it being a very busy hub for community events, dances, celebrations of all types. Before housing density grew to anything near current levels, the clubhouse was used by community members regularly. In the 1950’s, it was the local place to go for a party! And Wednesday evening volunteer work parties would meet up there to plan repairs and work efforts around the community. Old-timers will share the history of the building and it’s claimed to be a former scout lodge, one of the oldest in the area. It didn’t always have walls either, just a roof and the massive brick fireplace.
The size and scale of the building make it a hugely useful resource for residents as it can be hard to fit such crowds into an average home. It’s just the right size for larger gatherings and the maximum occupancy of the place is technically set at 200 for meetings, and 120 for banquets. It offers a modern refrigerator and freezer unit, and a modern working stove and oven. There’s a microwave, and lots of pots, platters, and utensils. It remains a valuable asset to all residents.
If you’ve ever been inside and looked up since the drop ceiling was removed around 2013, you may notice the thick metal cables strung between the two longer walls. This tensile system actually holds up the walls and is something unique to study. And those lights up on the big beams are so perfect for a party.
A remodel of the upstairs area was completed in 2013, and the kitchen followed in a second phase of construction a year or two later with new appliances and countertops installed. The bathrooms downstairs haven’t been redone since the early 2000’s . There is interest in installing a more accessible bathroom soon as well.
Clubhouse rentals are available year round and any exclusions usually include the monthly GIIA and Glen Isle Ladies Aux meetings and any pre-existing reservations or community events. Rental rates were just reset in 2024 to be a modest usage fee of $150 for all parties with the exception of children’s parties costing only $50. A deposit is required to ensure that the condition of the space is maintained by each renter. There have been moments over the years of damage and garbage troubles, as well as other violations, and decisions to keep deposits are made by the Clubhouse Chair, with support of the GIIA Board.
The Rental Agreement works with the Clubhouse Rules Checklist to ensure things are returned to their usual state following each rental. This facility is of unique value to residents, so it’s worth the effort. It was recently noted that the 2024 interior paint job has already been damaged by renters sticking items to the wall, likely as decorations and banners for parties. The Clubhouse Chair is now asking residents either DO NOT adhere anything to the walls, or use ONLY painter’s tape/ blue tape and use caution. We’ll see if this helps or if rules need to change. Another reminder: ALL garbage at the clubhouse MUST be taken home with the renter.
The Clubhouse Chairperson handles clubhouse rentals, pre and post-rental facility status reviews, the collection of deposits and rental fees, and the ongoing maintenance issues required as well as regular replacement of janitorial supplies and such. The current Clubhouse Chair is Glen Isle resident Bonnie Gardner who has served since 2009. Bonnie was raised in Glen Isle, moved out of the neighborhood for a bit before returning in 2009 with husband Joe and two children.
The chairperson has a lot of tasks and it’s a volunteer role, so they often seek the help of others for key exchanges, facility tours, condition reports, and more. We all owe Bonnie much gratitude for handling things so well for so long. It really is a non-stop job – so Thank You Bonnie!
