DuPage forest preserve considers clubhouse for Addison golf course
DuPage County Forest Preserve officials are seeking feedback from residents about a proposal to once again have a clubhouse at a district-owned golf course in Addison.
The Preserve at Oak Meadows - formerly Oak Meadows Golf Course - had a clubhouse for decades until the 50,000-square-foot structure was destroyed by a 2009 fire. Now that the 288-acre property is nearing the end of a roughly $16.8 million improvement project, the forest preserve board is considering the possibility of building a new clubhouse.
Elmhurst-based Daniel Wohlfeil Design Ltd. has come up with multiple options for the clubhouse. Next month, the district is hosting two open houses so residents can view the proposed designs and provide input.
The first is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. June 7 at Addison Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza, and the second will be from 4 to 6 p.m. June 12 in the board room at district headquarters, 3S580 Naperville Road, in Wheaton.
The open houses will begin with presentations of two design concepts at 6:15 p.m. June 7 and 4:15 p.m. June 12. District staff members and consultants then will answer questions and listen to comments from attendees.
Oak Meadows, which was constructed in the 1920s, originally was called the Elmhurst Country Club. The forest preserve district acquired the property in 1985.
Currently, the property has a pro shop and a garage. But officials say the lack of a permanent clubhouse with food and beverage amenities is a disadvantage when competing for fee-paying golfers and outings.
District officials said the previous clubhouse was designed to serve the private membership of the former country club.
Instead of replicating amenities from the private club era, the team designing the new clubhouse "hopes to take a fresh perspective that will better meet the needs of a public facility," officials said.
The new clubhouse likely will have a pro shop, grill area and locker rooms. The district also hopes to include space for functions, district educational programs and other events.
"Oak Meadows has a great history and has been an important part of the community for a long time," forest preserve Commissioner Marsha Murphy said in statement. "We want to make sure the new building can serve the needs of golfers and other visitors for many years to come."
If forest preserve commissioners decide to pursue the project, the district will have to figure out how it's going to pay for the new building. A board discussion about cost estimates is expected in July.
The Preserve at Oak Meadows, meanwhile, is slated to reopen for golf this summer. The project to improve the property included restoring the portion of Salt Creek that runs through the site and consolidating two golf courses into a single 18-hole facility with greater flood resistance and more stormwater storage capacity.
Material from the open house will be available between June 8 and June 29 on the district's website, dupageforest.org, and at dupagegolf.com.