Early History Continued
At the first meeting of the Blue Lakes Country Club, Inc. members, which was held February 27,1945, W.C. Swim was elected temporary chairman and J.H. Blandford temporary secretary. The By-Laws were read and adopted and it was moved and seconded that all directors elected at the meeting of January 30th be declared the duly elected directors of BLCC Inc.
At the first meeting of the directors of BLCC Inc. held February 27, 1945, W.B. Swim was elected President; A.W. Tingwall, Vice President; Curtis Turner, Treasurer; and J.H. Blandford, Secretary. It was decided membership fees for 1945 would be $100.00 but there would be no dues for the year. Membership dues for each year thereafter until further order of the Board would be $125.00.
At the Board of Directors meeting held April 24, 1945, Director Tingwall moved that the president and secretary of BLCC Inc. be authorized and directed to sign and acknowledge the lease agreement for and on behalf of BLCC Inc.
Director Cook voted that the membership be limited to 500, and that 100 of the 500 be reserved for men and women in the United States military service. Director Heiss moved that corporate memberships be permitted. Both motions were passed.
During 1945 and 1946 it was a continuing effort to sell new memberships and maintain interest in the project. The condition and improvement of the road was a major problem. The $50.00 (sic) yearly dues took care of the lease payments and the taxes. Members donated time and materials to improving the club grounds by building fireplaces and tables at picnic areas, building bridges and ditches, spraying for weeds and poison ivy and hauling sand and gravel for a beach at Bass Lake.
The club was criticized by some segments of the business community and private citizens. During a political campaign, the club was accused of leasing the property in order to sell water to the city. A number of personal friendships were jeopardized.
In the summer and fall of 1946 a low ebb was reached as attested by the minutes when a discussion took place as to the question of whether the club should attempt to continue on its own initiative or sell its holdings to a reputable purchaser. It was decided that the question should be submitted to stockholders at a December 11, 1946 meeting.
At this meeting a total of 40 stockholders attended. A discussion of a new road based on engineer's cost of $33,000.00 to be gravel road 30 feet wide. The majority of members present decided to keep the club going, promote new membership drive, increase dues and develop present road. New directors were elected: R.S. Tofflemire, F.R. Mann, Thomas Peavey, Ray J. Holmes, E.W. McRoberts, H.O. Boone, and Willard McMasters to serve with held over members Swim and Detweiler. At a Board meeting that same evening, Thomas Peavey was elected President; R.S. Tofflemire, Vice President; E.W. McRoberts, Treasurer; and J.H. Blandford, Secretary.
At the stockholders meeting February 21, 1947, presided by Tofflemire, Vice President it was decided that the cost of a new road was prohibitive. Duffy Reed estimated a cost of $15,000.00 to hard surface the road from Jerome Highway to the bottom of the grade. All high places would be shot off and level and this included widening and straightening. This road was complete in 1947. Membership fees were to be maintained at $100.00, dues $50.00 plus tax for the year. It was felt that 300 members were needed, approximately 150 more than the present membership. Members indicated their willingness to canvas for new members.