Indian River Colony Club
1936 Freedom Drive
Viera (Melbourne), Florida 32940
Phone: 877-509-9532
Website
Indian River Colony Club is a 55+ community located in Melbourne, just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean.
It was originally exclusive to retired military officers, but is now open to 20% non-military members, though it still calls itself a “Military Retirement Community.”
The community of single-family homes surrounds a fantastic golf course and a number of other amenities, making it a perfect retirement community in warm and sunny Florida.
History
Indian River Colony Club was the vision of retired US Air Force Brigadier General Charles D. Briggs, Jr.
He wanted to create a retirement community that was designed to serve families that were retired from the armed forces.
The original plan was put together in the early 1980s. That plan called for a number of houses to be built around an 18-hole golf course.
After much debate with local and state authorities, a modified plan that spread the houses out more was approved.
In 1986, Indian River Colony Club filed paperwork with the state that made it an official non-profit organization. At that time, the Board of Directors contained seven appointed positions. The board has since evolved those to elected positions, as they were more work with fewer benefits back in the early days.
Housing
Indian River Colony Club is comprised of Florida-style single-family ranch homes. Most homes range in size from about 1,000 sq. ft. (attached villas) up to around 2,500 sq. ft. (single family homes).
Indian River Colony Club completed building new homes back in 2006, so if you want to live there, you'll have to buy a resale. The last time I checked, prices ranged from the mid $100k's to the mid $300k's.
Many of the homes feature lake or golf course views, and all of the homes offer access to all of the membership amenities of Indian River Colony Club.
Maintenance Program
One of the most intriguing aspects of the housing at Indian River Colony Club is their Maintenance Program.
The community has a full-time maintenance staff that will handle any and all maintenance around your house.
They will take care of maintaining your lawn, trimming your hedges, and any repairs that need done inside or outside your home. They are even able to repair appliances.
Restaurants & Shopping
When it comes to shopping and eating near Indian River Colony Club, The Avenue in Viera is the place to be. Some of the larger stores at The Avenue include Kohl's, Belk, Michael's, Sports Authority, and Bed Bath & Beyond. There are also a number of smaller boutique stores mixed in to provide the feel of outlet shopping.
The restaurants at The Avenue offer a broad range of styles that will suit just about any palate. You can enjoy a nice dinner at Bonefish Grill, the Melting Pot, or Longhorn Steakhouse. You can also grab a quick bite at Steak ‘n Shake, Moe's Southwest Grill, Panera Bread, or Five Guys Burgers and Fries. If you're looking to have a drink, check out World of Beer for hundreds of different beers from around the world!
Active Lifestyle
The primary fitness attraction at Indian River Colony Club is the 18-hole golf course. The course features seven sets of tees, so it is able to accommodate players of all skill levels.
In addition to the golf course, the community also features three tennis courts and a large, heated pool. There is also a beautiful, state-of-the-art fitness center that has a number of different classes available.
Other Nice Benefits
Indian River Colony Club offers secure storage facilities where members can store their RVs while not in use. This storage facility also offers cleaning services and hookups for visiting guests. This is a perk that lots of people request when they're looking for a retirement community, but few communities actually offer it.
The community offers an outreach program that encourages potential members to come visit and stay with current members. This allows you to experience all of the amenities of the community before making any commitment.
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