The city of South Bend, Ind. has thought about selling other courses, but now feels that an upgraded facility at Erskine will have the potential to not only continue to fuel a recent resurgence in golf activity, but also generate more business from weddings and events. The city has set aside $1 million for the project and is looking to finance the rest through partnerships and sponsorships.
There will soon be a new place for public gatherings on the south side of South Bend, Ind. reported WSBT-TV, after the clubhouse at Erskine Park Golf Course gets a major facelift.
The renovation of the Erskine clubhouse will come just a couple of years after the city sold Blackthorn Golf Club and also thought about selling Elbel Golf Course, WSBT reported. But city leaders are now confident that the project will bring value to the community.
“We have noticed in the last year or so there has been more interest in golf,” said Tony Stearns, the city’s Director of Golf. “Tee times are filling up and we are trying to get close to the old heyday, but we are not quite there yet. We will get there.”
Golf has changed a lot since the “Tiger boom,” when there were more golfers than ever, Stearns told WSBT.
“Now, it’s fewer golfers and you have to be more aware that there aren’t as many people coming in,” he said. “We have to think of new and creative ideas to make sure ends meet.”
The renovations are expected to start next month and finish this spring. The city has set aside about $1 million for the project, WSBT reported. While that won’t cover the full scope of renovations, the course and city are now looking to finance the rest through partnerships and sponsorships.
By revitalizing the clubhouse, WSBT reported, the city hopes to boost interest not just for golfers, but for anyone who wants to rent the space for proms or weddings.
“Any way we can find a way to take this piece of property and connect it to a larger community, that’s what we’re looking to do,” Stearns said.
The Erskine clubhouse is an old barn, WSBT reported, and currently a lot of its walls limit how space is used inside.
On the main floor, many of the walls will be taken out, returning it to an open area as it used to look. Amenities that are on the main floor now, like the snack bar and pro shop, will go downstairs closer to the first tee, reported WSBT.
Those behind the project are also looking to add conference space and potentially a bar and lounge area.
“I think more than anything, we want a facility where it’s more user-friendly for the golfers especially, but yet a facility where it’s a way for us to generate income in the off-season, too,” said Dave Firestone, Erkine Park GC’s Head Golf Pro.
Other upgrades will include a new roof, as well as heating and air conditioning units. Drainage and grading around the building will also be fixed, reported WSBT.
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