The city council voted to purchase 86 of the property’s 96 acres for $800,000 in order to build large drainage detention ponds on the site. The club plans to sell the remaining 10 acres, including the clubhouse and pool, to the operator of NOLA Southern Grill, which provides food services at the property.
Reversing its position from January, the Slidell City (La.) Council voted March 28 to buy most of the 96-acre Pinewood Golf & Country Club so large drainage detention ponds could be constructed on the site, the New Orleans-based Times-Picayune.
The council approved an ordinance giving Mayor Freddy Drennan authority to negotiate a purchase price with the semi-private club, which is asking $1.2 million for the entire property. The land has appraised for $1.5 million, the Times-Picayune reported.
The measure also gives Drennan authority to enter an agreement with St. Tammany Parish government, which has pledged to create large detention ponds on the property to improve drainage in the city and the surrounding areas. “I think it’s a good thing for the city,” said Councilman Bill Borchert, whose district includes Pinewood.”I think it’s a good thing for the parish.”
Council Chairman Jay Newcomb, who voted against the purchase in January, changed his mind after receiving more information and talking to parish officials about the benefits the detention ponds could bring to Slidell and surrounding area. The parish government’s commitment to pay for construction of the ponds was a big factor, the Times-Picayune reported.
Pinewood, which opened in 1963, includes a golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts and a clubhouse. Newcomb said the shareholders of the financially ailing club would like to sell about 86 acres to the city and sell the remaining 10 acres, including the clubhouse and pool, to the operator of NOLA Southern Grill, which provides food services at the club. The 86 acres would cost the city roughly $800,000, the Times-Picayune reported.
The council voted 5-4 against the purchase in January. But the idea got new life after the parish government said it would work with the city to build detention ponds on the land. Parish Councilman Gene Bellisario, of the Slidell area, said ponds could be constructed where the back nine holes of the golf course are located, the Times-Picayune reported.
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