August 4, 2006
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C.
— It’s finally here … the ballots are in and the votes are counted. At 1p.m. today after a month-long voting process, Seabrook Island residents and owners overwhelmingly approved a $31 million master growth plan, dubbed “Horizon” to completely redevelop and elevate Seabrook Island’s amenities and facilities to meet current and future needs. The Horizon Plan will create two centers of activity on the island and will completely revamp the existing community buildings.
The highly anticipated Horizon Plan passed with tremendous island support, and in the broadest democratic process in the history of Seabrook with the majority of the community’s residents voting; leaders credit the fact that the plan was jointly created by the Seabrook Island Club and Property Owners Association (POA) based on feedback from community surveys and meetings.
Voter turnout was a whopping 78 percent of Seabrook Island Club members, and of that group, 90 percent strongly supported Horizon Plan. The Seabrook Island
POA (not Club members) also strongly supported Horizon with 80 percent in favor and only 1 percent abstaining.
Seabrook began this process three years ago by coming together as a community under an agreement, called “Island One,” which was a referendum requiring all future property owners to be members of Seabrook Island Club. Further solidifying the concept of one island, residents and owners have united to create their vision for the community and with this new Horizon Plan are charting the course to manage their growth, protect their resources and become the private island they want to be.
On February 19, after many committee meetings, the Horizon Plan was presented to the full island. Five forums were held over the ensuing months and all resident questions, concerns and comments were recorded and addressed.
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“Seabrook has redefined itself with the passing of the Horizon plan. The resident and executive leadership throughout this process has shaped the future of our Island and met the overdue needs of our rapidly growing and changing community,” said Joe Salvo, executive director of Seabrook Island Club. “We are committed to providing a superior private club experience and Horizon further elevates our level of service.” Salvo went on to add that “Seabrook is strong financially and will implement this plan without capital assessments of members or property owners.”
“Seabrook is lucky to have so many great volunteers involved in the Horizon Plan,” declared John Thompson, executive vice president of the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association. “This plan will completely change the face of Seabrook—we have a great future ahead of us!”
The Horizon Plan will create two centers of activity on the island: on the island interior at Palmetto Lake and oceanfront at the Seabrook Island Beach Club site. During construction, services will not be interrupted—Seabrookers will never be without a pool, restaurant or meeting space.
Palmetto Lake Site
The Community Center Complex will create a new inland activity area for the Island with brand new buildings and amenities. As Seabrook approaches build-out, with younger and more active residents continuing to choose Seabrook as their home, a wider variety of amenities will be available.
The design for the Palmetto Lake Site buildings will blend with the natural environment. The Community Center will be a safe and pedestrian-friendly environment where families can enjoy riding bikes to the village green for an ice cream cone and a walk by the lake. Plans for this site include an indoor/outdoor pool; a multi-purpose facility with meeting space; a first-class fitness center, which could eventually accommodate a wellness center; and other recreational amenities.
SEABROOK ISLAND LOOKS TO HORIZON
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Seabrook Island Beach Club Complex
At the southernmost tip of the island is the Beach Club complex. Beginning with the realignment of Seabrook Island Road, traffic will be slowed down to create a safer pedestrian environment on the site. A new bike path will further remove pedestrians and cyclists from this congested zone. Additional parking capacity will be constructed in strategic locations around the site with direct adjacencies to brand new facilities. Those facilities include:
- New Clubhouse Facility – From the covered porch at the front of the clubhouse, there will be unobstructed views across the landscaped grounds and entry drive, over the dunes, and out to the Atlantic Ocean
- Events Center Facility – Located adjacent to the clubhouse, the events center will have spaces for large/small gatherings and events, complete with an event lawn
- Beach Club Pool and Restaurant Complex – Situated closer to the Main Road, the resized facilities will allow for a significant amount of dune re-landscape, restoring the site to a more natural look and providing considerable protection from future storms
Construction will begin in early 2007 and is scheduled for total completion by 2010. Seabrook will use surplus funds and construction financing to pay for its new facilities during the development period and will later convert to longer-term loans repaid over future years.
About Seabrook IslandLocated on the southern coast of historic Charleston, South Carolina, Seabrook Island has long been acknowledged as one of South Carolina’s most beautiful barrier islands. Seabrook is home to one of the state’s widest and growing beaches, and Seabrook’s golf courses have been designated as the first fully certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in South Carolina. Nationally recognized tennis facilities and a full-service equestrian center add to the unique nature of the Island. For more information, visit
www.discoverseabrook.com.