Letter from the Executive Director: CCCSA Moving

Final Update: 10/28/18

Grand Re-Opening: Friday, November 2, 2018 - Starting at 6:00pm

Class Schedule: Many Classes Offered - Beginner to Rated - Start November 4

Updated Schedule of Events: New Additions to the Weekly Schedule including Friday Night Quads and A.L.T.O Mini - See Schedule of Events 

Center Location:

10700 Kettering Drive

Unit E

Charlotte, NC 28226

Udpate: 10/24/18

Time Frame: It appears as though our Grand Opening will be Friday, November 2. Please mark your calendar for this date. This will serve as an open house for new participants and a warming for current members. Light food and drinks provided.

Class schedule and location published.

Tuesday night will not meet next week as we will be preparing the Center for opening.

Update: 10/23/18:

Time Frame: The Center is waiting on one particular shipment. It appears that the Center will either open Tuesday, October 30 or Friday, November 2.

Center Schedule and Classes: The Center and class schedule will be published by the end of the day on Wednesday, October 24.

Update: 10/12/18:

Lease Agreement Signed!

Tuesday Night Action will continue to meet at the 4 Points Sheraton - Woodlawn

Round 3 Scheduled for October 16, 2018

Unrated Practice Tournament will meet at Barringer Academic Center 

Tournament Scheduled for October 20, 2018

Time Frame: We can not be 100% sure as construction time may vary as it progresses. Will continue to keep you updated here and on Tuesday nights. Once we are about 1 week away from opening, the exact Center address will be published.

Update 10/9/18:

Tuesday Night Action will continue to meet at the 4 Points Sheraton - Woodlawn

Reverse Angle will meet at the 4 Points Sheraton - Pineville

Reverse Angle this Saturday October 13, 2018

Time Frame: We hope that our first day in our new Center will be Tuesday October 23. Negotiations and finalization of lease agreement has been moving slower than we would like. We remain optimistic and look forward to our new home!

Update 10/1/18:

Temporary Tuesday Night Location Found, Click for More Details

Tuesday Night Action will Begin October 2 at a temporary location.

Location Update for Rated Scholastic Tournament, Click for More Details

The scheduled October 6th Rated Scholastic will take place at Barringer Academic Center

Original Post: 09/23/18

Dear CCCSA Members and Supporters:

It is with both regret and excitement that after four and a half years the CCCSA will be moving its location. The last event at the current location will be the Unrated Practice Tournament on September 29. I hope to answer the questions you may have below:

Reason for Move?
The current property owner has a vision for Southend that does not fit having a Chess Center. In addition, the changed parking situation and only one restroom was a problem long overdue to be solved.

Regrets?
I absolutely love Southend. It is not only where I live, but of course work. I will miss the quaint walking streets, local restaurants, and view of the downtown. 

However, the reality is that most of our members live to the south and east of downtown. After four and a half years of collecting data, it is clear that moving in that direction would benefit the most of our members. 

Improvements? 
I have heard you over the years. I was not oblivious to the fact that there was only one restroom, that parking had become a big problem and that for some getting upstairs is difficult.

The new Center will feature:

• Two Bathrooms!!
• Adequate Parking
• 1 Level to Accommodate Physical Disabilities
• Slightly Larger Lounge and Playing Hall
• Bright Lighting

Location?

You could've just skipped to this one right? The new location is currently being negotiated and thus I have not put out the exact address or details as of yet. I can tell you that the area we are currently looking at is near CMC Pineville off of Pineville-Matthews Road (51)

Why There?

Much closer for about 75% of our member and supporter base. That is 6-8 minute drive from Ballantyne proper. 12 minutes from the Arboretum. 12 minutes from South Park.15 Minutes from Matthews. 15 Minutes from Steele Creek. 15 Minutes from Fort Mill.

We realize that our members live all over Charlotte which is why we wanted a location near the interstate. For those to the north, 485 outer or inner will get you to the location in similar time to our current location, especially during rush hour.

Price point is always taken into consideration for us as well. We need approximately 2500 square feet of space to allow for camps, tournaments and special events. We wanted a location near our base, but with a price point that meets our needs as well.

There are a plethora of restaurants, hotels, and shopping areas (Carolina Place Mall) around the proposed new location.

Anything New?

We plan on continuing our current schedule of events with the addition of classes and possibly one additional day of rated play on weeknights.

Expected Opening?

Negotiations can move slower than other agreements. We hope to have the location signed, sealed and renovated by the middle of October. 

That may leave a period of two weeks where we will not meet on Tuesdays, although we are trying to find a temporary location for TNA. Saturday tournaments in early October will go on as planned, but may be at locations other than the Chess Center itself.

Though change is always hard, I am looking forward to an improved experience for our members and supporters!

All the best,

Peter Giannatos

Executive Director, Charlotte Chess Center

peter.giannatos@charlottechesscenter.org