Anti-Vaxxing Couple Claims Unfair Treatment When Banned From Clubhouse During Pandemic.
DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A lawsuit filed nearly four years ago against Delaire Country Club regarding its COVID-19 vaccination policies is heading toward a trial in early 2026, according to new court filings obtained by BocaNewsNow.com. The case, originally filed in January 2022 by Richard Hopper and Kendra Salerno, centers on the club’s decision to ban unvaccinated members from indoor facilities during the height of the pandemic. A “Joint Pretrial Stipulation” filed on November 24, 2025, indicates that while the couple sold their home and left the community years ago, the legal battle over their treatment is far from over.
The dispute stems from a protocol implemented by the Delaire Board of Governors in October 2021, which mandated that only vaccinated members could enter the clubhouse, card rooms, and fitness center. According to the original complaint, Hopper and Salerno attended a club Halloween party shortly after the rule went into effect. The club allegedly determined they were unvaccinated and filed grievances against them for violating health protocols. The plaintiffs argued that the club’s rules violated Florida statutes prohibiting business entities from requiring proof of vaccination for entry and claimed the restrictions breached the club’s own bylaws.
Despite the intense legal fighting, the new court documents reveal that Hopper and Salerno actually sold their Delaire property on February 28, 2022—barely a month after filing the lawsuit. However, they are continuing to pursue the claim, seeking “rescission” of their membership contract. Essentially, they are asking the court to undo their original membership agreement and return their initiation fees and bond, arguing that the club’s “illegal” protocols constructively expelled them and forced them to sell their home to avoid being ostracized.
The new documents serve as a guide to the upcoming trial. The plaintiffs contend they were denied the full access they paid for and were “de facto expelled” due to their vaccination status. But Delaire Country Club maintains it had the authority to adopt reasonable rules for the safety of its members during a global pandemic. The club argues that the plaintiffs’ claims may not even be proper for a trial, asserting that the bylaws gave the Board broad powers to manage club operations and protect the “welfare, safety, harmony, and good reputation” of the community.
Both sides are now preparing for a showdown in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. The docket lists upcoming hearings for summary judgment motions in January 2026, with a trial period potentially following shortly thereafter. Witness lists submitted by both parties include the plaintiffs, club General Manager Robin Blankhorst, and various board members who were active during the 2021 rollout of the controversial mandates. The case is one of the few local cases remaining regarding COVID policy enforcement during the pandemic.
