The development of the Lakewood community began as a joint venture of two partners: Farm & Home Savings Association (F&H) of Nevada, Missouri as the lender, and Astro Building Corporation (Astro), Wilmer Andes and Paul Roberts, as the developers. During this time, they also began the planning of the Raintree subdivision in south Lee’s Summit. The first 80 lots were platted the following year,beginning with West Lake areas including Lake Drive, Bramble Trail, Beechwood, Blue Jacket and Basswood. There would be over 2400+ homes built in 50 years, and there are still new homes being built in 2024. (Pictured are Paul…
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The first model homes started to be completed and construction was underway. (Pictured is one of the original homes on Lake Drive and a model home that were on display during the May 1972 Tour of Homes KC.)
The Cove Clubhouse was built for many purposes. It held real estate sales offices for F&H staff, and it also held the Cove Restaurant, which was Lakewood’s primary Food and Beverage amenity for 35 years (1973 – 2008). Lakewood administrative staff were housed in this building from 1973-1998, before they moved to the Bayview Clubhouse. Real estate offices were here for some time, and were also located at the Lakewood Sales Center, across from the (now) East Lake Marina. The Sales Center came down in the late 1990s prior to development of the Falls parcel.
Once acquired, F&H faced two major options on how to finish developing Lakewood: Option 1: Proceed with the undeveloped acreage with inexpensive homes that would produce much higher annual lot sales. Option 2: Finish the development as an upscale community. They chose this. They retained the services of J. H. McNaughton, a successful developer partner from Houston, to consult with their local development team. The end result was the building of the Lakewood Oaks Golf Club. The development team thought this would take pressure from the use of the lakes. It also added another amenity to attract home…
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The State of Missouri Department of Natural Resources required all private dams to be certified by the State. F&H retained the services of Woodward & Clyde, one of the most reputable engineering firms in the country, to file the paperwork for the two Lakewood dams. In the end, the State not only certified the dams; but the report stated that the Lakewood dams were “some of the best built private dams in the State of Missouri”. There are approximately 100 million gallons of water per foot in these lakes. At the deepest point, the water is close to ninety feet…
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In order to design an upscale community, Farm & Homes began construction on the Lakewood Oaks Golf Course. It was designed by renowned architect B. Jay Riviere, planned with a clubhouse and restaurant that would be private to golf club members only.
Starting in 1978, developments were moving at a rapid pace. Fairway Homes Village was Platted and F&H started the development around the “front nine” of the golf course, calling it Fairway Homes Village, Section One. The East Lake Association was formed as the HOA for that development. In the meantime, on West Lake, the first new single family homes on the East/Interior side of West lake were known as West Lake Village. These included things like Shoreview, the Edgewater Loop, Wood Glen, Wood Ridge.
F&H operated the Golf Course as an anchor for their planned Lakewood Community Development. It operated under F&H for 13 years.
Beginning in the mid 1980’s, the Tennis Club was launched, and was extremely active with great participation. The club included fun adult tournaments 4 or 5 times during the summers, with Singles & Doubles Leagues. Over the next several decades, the club began to focus on Youth Tennis as well, providing clinics and camps, as well as a drills night for adults.
This small lake on the south side of West Lake serves as a desilting pond, to help keep the lakes clear from silt.
At the request of the LPOA, F&H agreed to allow a merger of LPOA with the East Lake Association. The merger happened because West Lake and East Lake are “Better Together.” The Association had grown so large that the East Lake and West Lake depended on each other. The LPOA didn’t have enough dues income to adequately take care of West Lake shorelines and their Clubhouse. Simultaneously, East Lake had big houses and they put in their own shoreline, but they had fewer homes from which to collect dues. By merging the HOA’s, they could collectively raise enough funds…
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On or around 1985, the Lakewood Swim Team(s) were formed, as a part of the Suburban Swim League. For several years there was just one swim team, before the teams grew so large that they needed to divide into the Lasers and the Cruisers. As of 2024, there are over 150 swimmers per team, age 7-18. It remains one of the most exciting activities for families throughout the summer season!
Founded in 2001, the Sail & Paddle Club has been providing “On the Water“ access for Lakewood residents for over 20 years. It was established by Steve Bertken with three Butterfly Sailboats providing sailing lessons for kids and weekly group sail events for residents. Later it expanded to include kayaks, paddle boards and canoes. In 2018, the Club held a Guiness World Record event at the Cove Beach and presently holds the record for “Most People on a Paddle Board” with 75 people on a 50’ paddle board. The Club reorganized as nonprofit 501c corporation in 2019. The Club now has over 80 kayaks, paddle boards, sailboats, fishing…
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F&H sold the golf property to Lakewood Oaks Golf Club, Ltd. I. The Golf Club was sold to the members, to be operated as a private Golf Club with equity memberships. They successfully operated the Golf Club and made many quality improvements during the next 15 years. These included a lake drawn irrigation system throughout the course, a beautiful water feature cascading down a portion of the back nine, and a large clubhouse expansion to include new dining and banquet space.
They were granted nonprofit, tax exempt status. This provided the opportunity for individuals and businesses to make tax-deductible donations to fund many worthwhile community services. The Club has hosted many events over the years, including 17 years of the annual Pontoon Boat/Garden Tour. Due to very low lake levels, the boat tour was put on hold, and a new fundraiser, Black Dress and Bling, was developed following several others. Funds raised from these events and various other fundraising activities allows the Garden Club to provide a number of beneficial community projects.
These bronze sculptures are a set of two herons designed for our East Lake Marina. This was followed by a second donated piece, “Touching Earth,” capturing a bald eagle landing in a well-landscaped dry creek bed at the West Lake Marina.
Special Votes are held when a decision is made that is not already provided for in the DCCR’s. For a Special Vote to pass, there must be higher than 50% voter approval on a ballot issue.
In 2006, the equity owner members of the Lakewood Oaks Golf Club, Ltd I, began seeking a buyer for the course. After an extensive discovery period, the LPOA made plans to acquire the course, making an investment to protect homeowners in perpetuity by controlling the course. The LPOA files as an 1120(h) nonprofit, and Lakewood Oaks Golf Club I, Ltd was a 501c7. However, only another 501c7 can buy a 501c7. Therefore, the LPOA established the Lakewood Holding Company (LHC) as a 501c7 LLC. The LHC purchased the assets of the Lakewood Oaks Golf Club, Ltd I. from its equity…
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Founded by Walter Hammond, the Bass Fishing Club was established to have fun tournaments with neighbors and build great friendships. After 15 years, they are still hosting weekly tournaments throughout the summer for any residents to attend.
Founded by resident Amber McCreery, she began with the intention that women in Lakewood should have a community of moms to get through the years of raising children together. She brought in 70 women before the club began, and then a committee structure was launched. It has now grown to over 200 women.
The drought of 2012 was so severe that many of the coves in the lake had no water and boats in the marinas were touching the bottom of the lake. The lack of water only exacerbated the impact of the seepage occurring in the Dam Spillway, which had been increasing over the 40 years since the inception of the dams. For the first time in 40 years, the Staff and Board commissioned major repair work on the Dam Spillway to repair the seepage. Major improvements were made to the spillway by means of a grout curtain across the entire spillway.…
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They began with 3 sculptures on the Rock, and then added two Double Dancer Wind Sculptures to create a “Wind Forest.” This is now a landmark in Lakewood which helped transform an unsightly rocky area into a popular focal point hosting events–weddings, yoga and more. LGC added landscaping and a park bench, making this area a destination for residents.
During a deep freeze in early 2014, a 1” pipe burst in the Lakewood Oaks Golf Clubhouse and flooded the Men’s Locker Room and the Augusta Room. Throughout the year, steps were taken to improve this deferred maintenance in the clubhouse and the facility received much needed repairs that would help increase membership.
After generating decades of memories for families throughout the community, the Cove Clubhouse reached the end of its life cycle and was demolished. At demolition, it was valued at $550k with approximately $1,390,050 in deferred maintenance.
In 2014 the Lake Use Committee wanted to explore new ways to bring special events to the community on the water and met with staff to collaborate. In 2015, the First Concert on the Rock was held, paid for by transferring funds from their Fish Stocking line item. The event was a huge success, and widely supported by residents, staff, and the activities committee members. They worked with staff and approached the Board for a funding request, and the finance committee and board approved funding for future concerts, to be allocated to the Activities Committee budget, for use by the…
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The Activities Committee wanted to create a fun community event to incorporate the Golf Course. They launched the Front Nine and Wine event, offering sponsored wines, cheese and crackers at the holes, along with fun games and prizes. The tournament was held annually, frequently sold out, and though it began as a nine hole tournament it has grown to a full field utilizing all 18 holes.
The East Lake Village pool failed to achieve certification in 2016, and reached the end of its life cycle. The funds to replace the pool had not been reserved in advance, and the rebuild project was expedited into Program 2020. The Grand Opening was Memorial Day Weekend of 2018. Project 2020 was then rolled out to the community, and dues were to be increased over a 5-year period to meet the objectives of the plan.
The BBQ was founded by residents Tony Miller, Keenan Stump and Tom Argubright, in conjunction with the Activities Committee. This is the year the American Royal BBQ moved from Kemper Arena to Kansas, and our teams thought it would be preferred to have an epic BBQ competition right here at home. They kicked off with 17 teams, and would continue to be held annually the first weekend of every October.
This was done to reflect the country club lifestyle that had evolved after the acquisition and its location in Jackson County’s premier lifestyle living community, Lakewood.
As part of Program 2020, the Cove Pavilion was launched to accompany the Cove Aquatic Center Pool. The Pavilion was designed by KHL Design and Rose Design architects.
The pool was completely renovated, and expedited as part of Program 2020, and was opened in time for the 2018 season.
Sculpted by artist Robert Guelich, another set of bronze sculptures were donated by the Garden Club. There were two deers and a buck donated to Lakewood in the green landing off Lakewood Boulevard. A ceremony was held June 12, 2020 to commemorate the donations.
The Activities Committee introduced the Lighted Boat Parade, to be held annually on the night before the 4th of July festivities. Boats gather at “The Rock” and cruise both sides of the lake as a parade to light up the night for neighbors.
On Christmas Eve, 2023, the Lakewood Oaks Country Club suffered burst pipes upstairs, flooding the entire lobby and offices. The staff and offices were displaced for the next 12 months. Throughout 2024, in concert with Nationwide Insurance and LPOA, the LHC completed a $925,000 renovation of portions of the Main Floor and the Lower Level.