Jamie Colee Makes Promises

James ("Jamie") P. Colee, Vice President Development, Noble House Hotels and Resorts, addressed a letter to the members of the Grove Isle Club at The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida, operated by Noble House, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.


NOBLE HOUSE HOTELS, RESORTS & HIDEAWAYS

January 12, 2000

Dear Grove Isle Members,

I would first like to apologize for the inconvenience that you are experiencing as a result of the hurricane damages to the Tennis Facility at the Grove Isle Club and the delays in repairing the facilities. We are making every effort to take this opportunity to upgrade the entire facility. However, when dealing with insurance companies and local building authorities, things have a tendency to take longer than we would all like. I am sorry for any incorrect information that you may have received from the local management and can assure you that they are giving you the best information that they can and are in no way intentionally trying to misguide you. You are indirectly feeling the same frustrations that we are in settling this insurance claim and the false promises that we are given by building authorities and insurance representatives.

On the brighter side, as we continue to negotiate the improvements to the facility, the repairs to the Tennis Facility will result in a top notch, professional, facility that I think all Club Members will be proud of. We are taking the opportunity to improve all of the problem areas that the club has had to endure for some time.

Hopefully, you have noticed some of the work that has been completed to date:

● New landscaping on marina side of tennis courts.
● All damaged fencing has been replaced or repaired around the tennis courts.
● All new automated “pop-up” sprinkler system on the tennis courts.

In the upcoming week of January 17th, we will be starting the following improvements as well:

● Resurface and reline all courts. All courts will undergo Laser Tapered Resurfacing which will result in courts that drain perfectly and do not puddle. This will virtually give us 12 brand-new courts. Tentatively scheduled to start 1/17/99.
● Install proper drainage for all courts that will keep the clay run off from draining into the bay and protect the delicate ecosystem that have been affected in the past years by sediment run off from our courts. Tentatively scheduled to start 1/17/99.
● Repair all lighting. Tentatively scheduled to start 1/17/99.
● Replace all wind screens that will also sport the new Grove Isle logo at the ends of the 2 tournament courts. Tentatively scheduled to start 1/17/99.
● Replace all torn and damaged nets on all courts. Scheduled for completion once resurfacing is complete.
● Replace awning at Pro shop. Tentatively scheduled to start 1/21/99.
● Replace all water fountains: Tentatively scheduled to start 1/17/99.
● Remodel interior of Pro shop and add new men's and women's changing rooms including A/C to the bathrooms. Tentatively scheduled to start 1/17/99.
● Upgrade the furniture in front of the Pro shop. Scheduled for completion once the Pro shop renovations are complete.

I hope that this information helps to get you as excited about the upcoming improvements to the Tennis Facility as we are. I understand that this has been a frustrating experience for all of you and understand that the process of change and upgrading a facility is never without its' share of difficulties. I can only ask that you remain patient a bit longer and you will not be disappointed. In the upcoming weeks, you will begin to see all of the changes that we have all been waiting eagerly to take place. I hope that seeing actual construction in progress will help to calm the frustrations that you have had and excite the Club Members about the future of the Tennis Club Facilities. I think that when we are completed, we will have one of the finest tennis facilities in South Florida.

Please feel free to give me a call any-time to discuss this or any other matter pertaining to the property improvements at Grove Isle.

Sincerely,
(signed)
Jamie Colee
V.P. Development
Noble House Hotels and Resorts

Please note:
● The letter was re-typed bearing Mr. Colee’s signature because the copy that was distributed to all Grove Isle Club members is of poor quality and not easy to read. However, a diligent effort was made to reconstruct his letter verbatim.
● Since January 17, 2000 fell on a Monday, all references to 1999 should most probably say 2000.
● Mr. Scott Vokey, Vice President and General Counsel of Noble House Hotels & Resorts confirmed the information contained in the letter is "old" but does not deny the problems still exist. Messrs. Patrick and James Colee refused to comment
● The overwhelming majority of the promises, especially those related to solving major problems such as dealing with the delicate ecosystem, remain promises.
● Noble House is owned by the Colee family with father Patrick ("Pat") R. Colee as Chairman.

The photo of the light pole stump (taken June 8, 2005) shows how age caught up with a light pole on court 2 in January 2004.

A collection of 50 photographs document the condition of the tennis facilities as of June 8, 2005.

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“Install proper drainage for all courts that will keep the clay run off from draining into the bay and protect the delicate ecosystem …”
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When money is unreasonably coveted,
it is a disease of the mind which is called avarice.
Cicero (106 BC-43BC)
Roman author, orator and politician
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