For the first time in years, more than 200 people packed into what was the main dining room of the now-shuttered Country Club of Coral Gables as a city-sponsored meeting with the new facility operator to discuss proposed outdoor dining attracted a standing-room only crowd Nov. 3.

Nick Di Donato, president and CEO of Toronto-based Liberty Entertainment Group, gave the audience a taste of what he has planned for the historic publicly-owned club on N. Greenway Drive at the catered presentation for which he footed the bill.

“You’re going to see some life in this building again,” vowed Di Donato, whose 1,000-employee company manages public facilities in Canada. Di Donato then reiterated his plans to invest $1.5 million in club improvements and upgrades.

In his presentation, Di Donato said one of the challenges that bested previous club management was how to engage the community. His solution: a café and restaurant open to the public. “We’ll offer wood-burning oven pizza and pasta and open the doors to the community,” said Di Donato “Most of the menu is my mother’s recipes.”

But the future club operator told the audience that without outdoor dining, which still requires commission approval, both the restaurant and café, to be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily are not viable. “Without outdoor dining, we can’t open the café,” said Di Donato. Under that scenario, the club would open for only private function on an as needed basis. “The café and restaurant allow for full-time staff that would allow us to handle small groups,” said Di Donato drawing applause.

Before opening the floor up to audience comments, Di Donato concluded his presentation by reminding those in attendance of his offer to the commission of a provisional test period for outdoor dining. “Give me 18 months and then you can close us down,” he said.

The majority of residents who turned out hailed Di Donato’s vision. “We’ve had two failures, I’m ready for success,” said Haydee Polo. “I hope we get to walk down North Greenway and have a place to go.”

Bill Richardson said, “It’s a wonderful plan to bring the community together with zero risk. Give it a chance.”

Sarah Anderson, who lives on N. Greenway Drive and proclaimed herself a 40-year Gables resident, said she supported the plan for outdoor dining. She reminded the audience that originally the club featured outdoor dancing and music.

The most poignant comment in favor of outdoor dining came last as one man in the audience said, “It’s a lot better than a dark, closed country club.”

However the controversial plan for outdoor dining was not without its detractors, most of whom reside on N. Greenway Drive.

Former Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli who lives on N. Greenway Drive expressed his concerns that outdoor dining would create safety issues.

Coral Gables Citizens Political Action Committee President Vincent Damian, another N. Greenway Drive resident, said outdoor dining is inappropriate in a residential neighborhood.

Former county club officer Dorothy Stein, whose home is located on N. Greenway Drive, turned her back on Di Donato and chose to the address the audience instead warning outdoor dining would cause property values to drop.

The city commission will revisit the issue at its next meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 17.