Glen Ellyn moves ahead with golf course update
Glen Ellyn officials are moving forward with plans to renovate a village-owned golf course, which they hope will lead to greater profitability.
Plans have been in the works for more than two years to update the 27-hole Village Links of Glen Ellyn, on the south end of town at 485 Winchell Way. Two village committees developed a master plan that suggested clubhouse improvements such as the addition of a bar, new dining rooms, a dining patio and restrooms, and course updates, including the addition of covered and heated tee stations to the driving range, lights for use at night, and better fairway targets.
Those phase one improvements are estimated to cost $3.9 million.
The village board voted 5-1 this week to hire three firms to complete design work for the proposed renovations: civil engineer V3 Companies at a cost not-to-exceed $133,300, building architect PPK Architects at $82,000, and golf course architect Gill Design Inc. at $22,400.
The approval follows receipt of a report last month from the National Golf Foundation, which found the village’s master plan for the golf course to be “reasonable and realistic to enhance revenue” there.
Village officials had sought assurances from the outside consultant that the profit estimates devised as part of the master plan were realistic.
The village plans to pay for the upgrades by borrowing against future golf course profits. Reserve funds may also be used for project cash flow and as a buffer if profits don’t meet estimated levels, officials said.
A second phase of the project calls for tearing down what was the original clubhouse and adding a new pro shop, but it would be done only if money is available. The estimated price tag for those upgrades is currently $2.9 million.
Upon completion of design work for the first phase, the project could go to bid this summer, and construction could begin by the end of the year. The new facility is expected to be ready for the 2013 golf season.