Day 164: Courts, Customs, and Cold Weather: The Rollercoaster Behind Our Build

Even though we have checked off some major milestones and tackled several big issues, the last couple of weeks have delivered their fair share of anxiety. Construction is full of surprises, but this stretch felt like it was trying to win an award.

The Good News: Dirt, Pipes, and Progress

Since our last update, the site crew has been busy installing about 75% of the drainage system—complete with manholes that go as deep as 20 feet. These connect to a network of pipes that manage stormwater and direct everything into the Cultec system we installed about a month ago. Not glamorous, but absolutely essential. Think of it as the club’s plumbing system… just outdoors, deeper, and with heavier machinery.

The team also connected the building to the main sewer line that feeds the private Wastewater Treatment Plant servicing the area. This was a huge win. We were lucky—being able to tap into this system saved us from having to build our own septic. If you’ve ever wondered what “a small fortune” looks like, just ask someone who’s had to install a commercial septic system.

On the parking lot side, we installed the geogrid, a structural superhero that distributes the load from cars and trucks. Nobody will ever see it (it will quietly spend its career buried under asphalt), but it’s the invisible VIP that makes the parking lot possible. Without it, the lot couldn’t be built safely on top of the existing leaching field.

Electrical conduits have also been laid both inside the building and out to the future parking lot lights. Most of the electrical work beneath the ground is now done, and we’re only waiting for the town inspection before we can backfill and move toward pouring the slab.

The Padel Court Saga: An International Thriller

We also received two of the eight indoor padel courts. I wish I could say this was smooth and uneventful… but no. The courts came from Italian Padel—an elite manufacturer—and I specifically arranged for them to handle everything end-to-end: manufacturing, shipping, logistics, and installation. This is similar to what we did with our building erectors, and that partnership was seamless.

The key difference? The padel courts come from Europe. Which means customs. Which means paperwork. Which means… plot twist.

I knew I’d be responsible for tariff payments. What I did not know—because nobody mentioned it—is that I was expected to handle customs brokerage myself. So imagine my surprise when, two days before the container reached New Jersey, I received an alert that the entire shipment would be detained because the necessary paperwork hadn’t been submitted on time.

Cue the adrenaline.

It was a Friday night. The container would arrive Sunday. I had two days to find a customs broker, clear the container, get it to Hopkinton, unload it, and return the empty container to New Jersey. Easy, right?

After leaving voicemails with half a dozen brokerage firms, I finally reached one saintly human before they left for the weekend. I explained the situation (and maybe pleaded a bit). They agreed to help. Within minutes they checked the container status, identified exactly what was missing, and sent a list of documents they needed. Thankfully, I had everything organized on Google Drive, and we turned the paperwork around at lightning speed.

They cleared customs. The container was released. It arrived onsite the next day. My site crew—despite never having unloaded padel courts before—pulled off a flawless unload in under half a day. I definitely earned a couple of new grey hairs, but the courts are here, safe, and waiting to be installed.

What’s Keeping Me Up at Night

Despite significant progress, three major challenges remain—and each one has the potential to delay things more than I’d like.

1. Asphalt Installation

Mother Nature has not been cooperating. Rain, snow, freezing temps—late November and early December were not on our side. To install asphalt, we need a window of at least a few days above freezing without precipitation. If this window doesn’t come soon, the asphalt plants will close for the season, which means no parking lot until spring. Not ideal.

2. Eversource

We’re still waiting for a transformer. Emails and voicemail messages from our electrician have gone unanswered. We are escalating, but until permanent power is in place, we cannot begin interior finishes.

3. ADA Lift for the Second Floor

The golf simulator and table tennis area are upstairs, and we need an ADA lift to ensure accessibility. The lift has a 12–14 week lead time after the drawings are approved. Those drawings can’t be approved until the slab is poured, which we hope will happen next week.
The good news: we should be able to open the main building with a temporary Certificate of Occupancy and keep the second floor closed until the lift is installed.

So yes—there are real challenges, and each one brings uncertainty. This is why it’s difficult for me to offer a precise opening date. I will open the club as soon as humanly possible, but some factors are beyond my control. I promise to keep you updated, transparent, and in the loop as things evolve. I still remain cautiously optimistic about a Q1 opening.

The Bright Spot: Your Support

Despite the rollercoaster, membership sales are going strong. We now have more than 180 Founding Members. Every day, I receive emails, texts, and calls filled with questions, encouragement, and support. It truly warms my heart and keeps me pushing forward—no matter how complicated the week gets.

Stay tuned for updates on the parking lot, inspections, slab installation, and the exciting interior work that follows. The finish line is in sight—and we’re getting closer every day.