Dear Union Club Members,
Welcome back to the Club! How wonderful it is to say those words.
The phased reopening is going well as we start to return to our Club. While the surroundings may not seem as familiar as before – the most noticeable being increased open spaces and required reservations – I know we will adapt well to our new world and public health protocols.
Part of this on-going adaptation sees the weekly Take-Out Meal Kits continue. I know a few members have treated their family or close circle friends with one of these dinners to celebrate a birthday or acknowledge a special event. And, we can now also enjoy the newa la carte menus both in the Club or at home or office. Simply call to arrange pick up during normal service hours. If you can’t dine at the Club, you can enjoy the next best thing!
Please remember to make reservations for dining and the Fitness Centre through the Front Desk. Members can also enjoy a night or two away from the house with the member’s special guest room rate.
If you have any questions about Club operations under the new protocols, please see the up-to-date re-opening plan here or contact the Front Desk. Given on-going evolution of public health directions, we will learn and adapt as we go. Member respect of the protocols and cooperation is appreciated on such matters as physical distancing and staying home if feeling unwell.
I know staff and the Member Engagement Committee are working on summertime offerings while ensuring our Club remains a safe and trusted haven for us and our close circles. Please keep an eye out on the weekly emails, and the next newsletter in your mailbox by early July for more on summer at our Club.
Again, welcome back. I so look forward to seeing you!
Grace Van den Brink, President
THE FITNESS CENTRE IS NOW AVAILABLE!
The Fitness Centre re-opened on May 26 and is now available to members from 7:00am to 7:00pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. There will be no early access to the Fitness Centre.
The Steam Room will remain CLOSED until we are allowed to open by the Health Authority. As the Fitness Centre will have a maximum capacity of 5, members wishing to make use of the Fitness Centre must reserve their time.
Please reserve your one-hour time block at the Front Desk. Should a member arrive without a reservation, the Fitness Centre Supervisor will determine if there is space available, or if the member needs to wait until the next available time. The changing rooms and shower facilities will be available; however, members are encouraged to bring their own personal grooming products as all Club-provided amenities have been removed.
FOOD & BEVERAGE NEWS!
BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER SERVICE RETURNED MAY 26!
All dining will be by reservation (no walk-ins) with reservations being taken at the Front Desk – 250.384.1151 (ext. 0) or reservations@unionclub.com.
To view the revised menu offerings, please click on a link below:
- CASUAL DINING (Mon, Tues & Wed)
- DINNER MENU (Thurs, Fri & Sat)
A LA CARTE TAKE OUT AVAILABLE MAY 26
With the launch of the new menus (listed above), members will now have the option to place take out orders from the a la carte menu. You can even pre-order, pick up and dine on the Patio!
Should you wish to order during the normal hours of service (breakfast 7:30am to 9:30am; lunch 11:30am to 2:00pm, and; dinner 5:00pm to 8:30pm), please contact the McGregor Bar at 250.384.1151 (ext. 313) and provide at least 20 minutes from when you plan to come and pick up.
CHANGES TO SERVICE AT THE CLUB
With the Club’s re-opening of food services comes changes to some service procedures. Table service will be adjusted to limit the amount of time and contact a server spends with you. This means:
- Food and drinks will be placed at the head of the table.
- You will be asked to pour your own water and wine.
- You will be asked to place your cutlery on your plate once finished your meal.
- You may be asked to pass your soiled plate or glass to the head of the table to be cleared.
- The maximum number of guests allowed at one table is 6.
- Please do not socialize in the bar and leave the space open for members to come in and order a drink / pick up take away food.
We thank you in advance for your understanding of these important changes.
NEW COCKTAIL LIST FOR THE MCGREGOR BAR!
The Club’s Food & Beverage Manager has recently curated a new cocktail list for Club members! When next in the Club, please visit the McGregor Bar and try a new favourite! To view the cocktail list, please click here.
THIS WEEK’S TAKE OUT MEAL KITS – ORDER TODAY!
To view the take out menu options for May 26 to May 30, 2020 please visit the Club’s Dining page on our website by clicking here.
All meals come fully cooked and packaged, ready for re-heating.
Please email sales@unionclub.com to let us know which days you would like to sign up for.
This week’s deadline for sign up will be Friday, May 29 at 5:00pm. Meal Pick Up Time will be between 12:00pm – 5:00pm, each day. If for some reason you are unable to pick up directly from the Club, please let us know and for $15.00 we will deliver it.
Should you have any questions about the UC Take Out Meal Kits, please contact Danielle Scott, Sales & Engagement Manager, at sales@unionclub.com
To view the take out menu options for May 26 to May 30, 2020 please visit the Club’s Dining page on our website by clicking here.
All meals come fully cooked and packaged, ready for re-heating.
Please email sales@unionclub.com to let us know which days you would like to sign up for.
This week’s deadline for sign up will be Friday, May 29 at 5:00pm. Meal Pick Up Time will be between 12:00pm – 5:00pm, each day. If for some reason you are unable to pick up directly from the Club, please let us know and for $15.00 we will deliver it.
Should you have any questions about the UC Take Out Meal Kits, please contact Danielle Scott, Sales & Engagement Manager, at sales@unionclub.com
NEW FEATURE: MEET THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
The Union Club of British Columbia is home to a unique Management Team. Long-term success depends, above all, on the quality of the Team providing the leadership, direction and vision. The Union Club is in good hands with the current Management Team’s wealth of experience and knowledge of the hospitality industry.
To introduce (or re-introduce in some cases) your Management Team to you, your weekly email will now feature “Meet the Management Team”, where a different Manager will be profiled each week. This week we feature Andre Garneau, Front Office Manager:
Andre Garneau, Front Office Manager
I was born and raised in Vancouver BC. It was a great place to grow up. We were always going to the mountains to ski, playing hockey, going for bike rides around Stanley Park and spending time on the beach in English Bay. We went on road trips and would go camping throughout BC. I have always appreciated where we live, and I have always wanted to share that with everyone who visits this remarkable place.
After graduating with a degree in Hospitality Management, I moved to Whistler BC in 2000. There I worked for the largest ski resort in North America – Whistler Blackcomb as Guest Services Supervisor. I learned many skills working in a large operation with people from all over the world and providing guests with exceptional service. On a busy day we would have over 25,000 people accessing the resort. I also worked for The Fairmont Chateau Whistler as Fairmont Gold Supervisor. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is consistently ranked as one of the best hotels in North America and this experience gave me the opportunity to learn from many experienced professionals in the Hotel and Travel industry which was valuable to my growth within the field.
Living and working in Whistler was an incredible experience. It was great to ski over 100 days a year, play golf all summer, and go to incredible restaurants with friends. However, a new opportunity would present itself and I could not turn it down.
I was recruited by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and I moved to Miami in 2005. I spent over 10 years working onboard cruise ships all over the world as Operations Manager. I have traveled to over 50 countries including France, Morocco, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Egypt, and many more around the world. I always appreciate the experience of traveling and exploring new places. This opportunity provided me the experience of handling many different situations with a systematic approach and professionalism. My role included overseeing all shipboard operations while managing a team of personnel from all over the world. I was responsible for directing embarkation and debarkation of the vessel for thousands of people, training and supporting new staff members as well as dealing with any situations brought to my attention.
My wife and I decided to move to Victoria in 2016 to start our family and grow within this wonderful community. We welcomed our son in 2017 and are loving the adventures of parenting. Prior to joining the Union Club as Front Office Manager in January 2019, I was the Duty Manager at the Hotel Grand Pacific from 2016-2018 where I was responsible for all Front Office Operations. I have truly enjoyed my time at the Union Club so far and when I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing golf, and exploring Vancouver Island.