Chris Smith and Louis Ochoa are planning to purchase the Slidell, La., property for $1.15 million, and build a 6,500-sq. ft. event center while improving the quality of the golf course, starting with the greens.
The city Planning Commission has given conditional approval to the resubdivision of the Pinewood Country Club in Slidell, La., a move that means the country club will be sold, the New Orleans Time-Picayune reported.
The Planning Commission last month had asked the prospective new owners of Pinewood, Chris Smith and Louis Ochoa, to address a few drainage, parking and rights of way issues before the commission would vote on the resubdivision. The commission gave its conditional approval on September 18, the Times-Picayune reported.
C&RB reported in April that the pair would buy the property instead of the city.
Smith and Ochoa have big plans for the ailing club. The two have an agreement to buy the golf course and club, which sits on 95 acres, for $1.15 million and make improvements they hope will restore it to its former glory, the Times-Picayune reported.
Their deal to buy the club is contingent on the resubdivision of the 95 acres into three parcels. Smith, who will operate the golf course, will have two parcels containing the front and back 9s and the driving range. Ochoa’s parcel will include the clubhouse, pool and tennis courts, the Times-Picayune reported.
Once the Planning Commission approval makes it to Mayor Freddy Drennan for his signature, Smith said he and Ochoa will finalize their purchase. “Once the mayor signs it, Louis and I can go to closing. At that point it’s mine and Louis’.”
Pinewood opened in 1963 and generations of Slidell residents grew up walking along its fairways or swimming in the pool. But over the years the club’s popularity waned, the Times-Picayune reported.
The club’s shareholders last year had made a pitch for the city to buy the land. The city agreed to the purchase and planned to put retention ponds on the site as a drainage improvement, but before the deal could be finalized the club decided to sell to Smith and Ochoa and take one last shot at revitalizing the place, the Times-Picayune reported.
Ochoa, who currently leases Pinewood’s kitchen and restaurant, plans to build a 6,500-sq. ft. event center on land near the 10th tee. Smith, meanwhile, wants to improve the quality of the course, starting with the greens, which he hopes will attract more golfers, the Times-Picayune reported.
“People will see the things we’re doing,” he said. “It needs some tender-loving care.
“I’m excited about it,” he added. “It’s getting real now.”
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