Royal Glenora Club

The renovation at the Royal Glenora Is largely complete and it’s a sight to behold. The transformation has been amazing. Hats off to all the members who have endured significant inconvenience during the construction as well as the impact from COVID restrictions. We now have a world class family oriented sports club nestled in the views of our river valley. In addition, our dining room and lounge provide a wonderful experience whether you’re looking for a casual meal to watch the game, or a beautiful supper inside or on the patio over looking the river valley. Leading the charge we have Scott Hippee, CEO, with years of club experience right here in Edmonton.

The Royal Glenora club was built in 1961 and since that time has been almost entirely neglected until the current renovation. Currently, there are 7 indoor hard courts and 3 synthetic outdoor clay courts with numerous squash courts a small gym with a dated indoor pool. The gym is so sad in fact good life fitness puts RG to shame. There are several conference rooms and a very sad bar with pool patio. The layout of the club had become increasingly dated over many years of complacency. As a result, a major redesign has been planned and is currently underway - mostly making the club unusable to members. Originally, there were extensive plans to cover the outdoor tennis courts, but due to cost over-runs due to poor ventilation and engineering trouble the entire design has been made to improve those features over improved facilities. The extent of the re-design is now more cosmetic and not really something that is worth paying for as a new member. The costs are for a new member $10k plus the $7.5 k for the redesign. Each year members that are not greater than 65 pay $4k with a $500 dollar capital levy. For a young couple there is childcare, but this is not included in the yearly dues, you pay each time that you use the club. There are two private golf clubs that you can't gain access to if you are a member anymore. My experience at the club has been by and large not worth the money that is paid each year for the facility. Many of the programs that you sign your kids up for get canceled due to lack of others signing up for the sparse number of offering in comparison to the Derrick club. The tennis courts are not much better than public courts that I have used in Vancouver with a leaky roof, uneven ground and cracks in the foundation. The pool is so old that even with ample cleaning there is precipitated calcium residue on the exterior of the pool. The hot tubs are decent, but small. On top of that the paint on the pool deck is so slippery they have had multiple people falling and getting injured and have done nothing other than putting a band aid on it by putting a few mats on the surface. The gym is small, has no variety for machines or weights and even when there are only a few people there you are waiting for equipment. I have found a membership at good life far surpasses the quality of the experience you would have using this gym. The cafeteria food is by and large inedible and will cost at least double the amount that you would pay going to any chain restaurant in Edmonton. Under cooked chicken dishes and steak not worth eating on multiple occasions. The bar and kitchen has never actually changed the food menu in the year that I have been using the club and the beers consist of domestic benign brands. Terrible drip coffee is available only. The thing that makes the membership even worse is that despite the average age of the club being 65+ they do nothing to encourage the younger membership to try and revitalize the club and the fact that those of working age are basically subsidizing the geriatric population at the club makes this something not worth the investment. For years the membership of the club has been dwindling while other partner clubs such as the Arbutus club and the Calgary winter club have active membership wait lists to join. This club has no wait list. I believe the real problem is the lack of effective management at this location, although the CEO tries hard he is generally aloof in performing even the most simple things to make the club run smoothly. For all of these reasons, my best advice is to stay away from this club and put your money into something more worth while rather than throwing it away on this dump. I might add that they recently did a second cash call due to inept planning and management. And with regards to the management comments below the pricing I have listed is likely higher as they keep on raising prices while decreasing services to members. The Derrick Club, Saville center, Black Hawk, Mayfair, Glendale clubs are all far superior options.

We recently moved in the area and I went today to visit and get more information about the club as it is 5 minute away from our home. The information on the website is very limited, problably this facility is not for younger families:)? I cannot believe the unfriendly attitude and the unwillingness to help of the front desk staff. He seemed unprepared for the job, and made us feel we do not belong there. We got no information whatsoever and the whole experience was unwelcoming . I never visited a club or leisure facility and be received like this. So disappointed...

I’m sure for the club memebers with the facilities available to them it’s a 5 star place. How we for hockey, this place is terrible. No stands, brutal sound system, benches are poorly designed, can barely see the play fromThe timekeepers box. Clearly a arena that’s not built for hockey that’s for sure.

We had our wedding here. The food was great and the service was fantastic. The decor is starting to look a little bit run down but the patio and the view more than made up for it.

My family has been members here for 6 years. We all love the atmosphere, kind employees, amazing programs and classes, as well as a wonderful restaurant. Great servers and amazing food.

Beautiful sport club. Renovations just completed. Brand new gym that includes pickle ball. The best patio in Edmonton. The main ballroom is amazing! Right in the river valley. Great view. The sports programs are great for adults and youth.

Beautiful facility - Edmonton's finest for sports and recreation. The Royal Glenora offers great amenities and the staff are amazing.

Nice place! Love the patio

The new facility renovation is fantastic! The change rooms are clean and tidy, the staff is extremely friendly and very accommodating, and the lounge is finally reflective of the stunning location of the club!