The 50-year-old clubhouse adjacent to the Missoula, Mont., university’s golf course will undergo a $200,000 renovation, including an expanded kitchen and bar, as well as overall repairs.
The UM Golf Course Clubhouse, a restaurant on the campus at the University of Montana in Missoula that has existed for decades but long went unnoticed, was taken over by UM Dining last spring and major renovations are on their way, the Missoula (Mont.)-based Montana Kaimin reported.
“We’re blowing it up,” said Ian Waetje, concessions manager for UM Dining. His staff runs the clubhouse now, in addition to the late night food truck and game day food stands, Kaimin reported.
The building is 50 years old, and most of the amenities are built in accordance with outdated standards. A grandfather clause allowed the restaurant to continue business without making changes, Kaimin reported.
Initially, no changes came because University officials were eyeing the golf course as a possible Missoula College location, and it didn’t make sense to renovate a building that could later be demolished. The University contracted the space out to Jus Chillin’. When Missoula College was slated to be built elsewhere, UM Dining took over, Kaimin reported.
Waetje looked into updating a part of the kitchen, and it became clear it would be no simple task. The kitchen needs a grease trap, better ventilation, improved refrigeration and new plumbing. Waetje also wants to extend the bar, make the kitchen bigger and add handicap accessibility, Kaimin reported.
Mark LoParco, director of UM Dining, estimated the cost of the repairs will add up to about $200,000. Architects have drawn plans for the renovation, and soon UM Dining will start accepting bids from Montana contractors for the work, Kaimin reported.
LoParco said the renovation, which should be done by spring semester, will create a place for “upscale casual dining” for people living near the golf course, Kaimin reported.
“It provides another venue for our students, and we have an awful lot of students that live at south campus,” LoParco said.
Students with a meal plan will be able to purchase food at the restaurant, but not alcohol. The menu staples are burgers made with Montana beef and house made potato chips, Kaimin reported.
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