Indian River Colony Club was the first community built in the new town of Viera. Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the 55-plus golf course community with country club amenities was started as a retirement destination for military officers. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Behind the walls on Murrell Road and Viera Boulevard, Viera’s very first neighborhood is marking its 30th anniversary.
Conceived as a retirement destination for military officers, Indian River Colony Club began to take shape in 1986 with retired General Gordon “Bat” Masterson leading the development charge.
Working with principals from the Duda family, co-founder Masterson overcame numerous difficulties and setbacks to finance the project and create a private country club-like environment for members.
Today, 100 percent debt-free IRCC is a gated golf course community of nearly 800 homes on 453 acres in Viera, owned entirely by its membership.
The community enjoys 24-hour gated security, a generous maintenance package and a full complement of newly renovated country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over, including an 18-hole, par-72 private golf course.
Membership at “The Place Patriots Call Home” has now expanded to include up to twenty percent of former enlisted or non-military personnel over the age of 21 who want the energetic lifestyle cultivated by three decades of members.
The community is celebrating throughout the month of February, with a series of events to commemorate 30 years in Viera.
Although Indian River Colony Club was the first neighborhood built in the new town of Viera, the private community was not a project of the Viera Company. Senior family members and key employees of A. Duda & Sons in Oviedo nevertheless helped the fledgling neighborhood at several key points before and during construction.
Scott Miller, Vice President of Sales and Community Management for The Viera Company, notes the unique place held by Indian River Colony Club in the creation of Viera.
Scott Miller
“There was an undeniable common goal and common vision between General Masterson and The Viera Company/Duda to build a new town and Viera owes a debt of gratitude to General Masterson and the residents of IRCC as the early pioneers who invested in that vision and were unrelenting in seeing that vision become a reality,” said Miller.
“We are very happy to wish IRCC continued success as they celebrate their 30th anniversary and wish to acknowledge our gratitude for the key role IRCC played in bringing the vision of Viera to its place today as one of the top master planned communities in the nation.”
Today, the highly amenitized community is home to dozens of clubs and an abundance of activity options.
On any given day, member/residents can golf, play tennis, swim, dine or attend a lecture or performance – all without leaving Indian River Colony Club. Still predominantly a haven for military retirees, IRCC maintains a patriotic culture centered on service to others.
Chief Financial Officer for Indian River Colony Club, Julie Roberts reflects on what is means to be part of the IRCC family.
“Not a day goes by that I am not truly touched by this wonderful and caring little community,” said Roberts.
“Many of our residents honorably served our county and continue to live their lives humbly, with patriotism, honor, selflessness, compassion and camaraderie – with a whole lot of fun thrown in. Heroes truly are prevalent in ‘The Place Patriots Call Home.’ I am amazed and incredibly honored to be a part of it.”
More information about Indian River Colony Club log on to IndianRiverColonyClub.com or call 321-255-6000.
Related Story:
