Construction and demolition are underway on the lower level and patio. Below is a detailed memo from the Construction Committee. The project remains on schedule and on budget with all contingencies intact.
Jack Hubbard
Memo from the Construction Committee:
Sam Atari, Mike Augustin, David Childress, Shannon Dubke, Bobby Heiser, Mike Hopke, Derek Norton, Donnie Simpson
The New Short Game Practice Area opened on time and ten percent under budget. The new fire pit is now complete and has been very enjoyable over the few colder days we recently experienced. The upper putting green and third chipping green are growing in well and will open this spring.
Lower-Level Clubhouse and Patio Project is well underway. We received all required permits from the County in time for the early October start and Utica, our General Contractor, wasted no time in digging in.
Additional photos are available for those interested. Click here.
What has been demoed?...
- Containment and Logistics Plans have been stress tested and are in place.
- Interior Demo 90+% complete and will be finished in November.
- Concrete slabs have been removed from Locker Rooms and the new simulator Lounge areas.
- MEP (Mechanical, Electric and Plumbing) has been significantly demoed.
- The ladies’ lockers have been removed and the men’s lockers have been wrapped to protect them during construction.
- The Youth activity Center and Pro Shop have been demoed.
- The Hilliard Room is now open all the way through the old 19th Hole, and they have exposed the steel headers and other areas on the rear of the building.
- The two large terrace stairs have been taken down and the patio has been broken up and removed for regrading and underground work (drainage, electrical, low voltage electrical, etc.) and structural foundations.
Fun Facts:
- Our first day of demo was 10/9 and there have been 15-20 workers on site daily.
- It’s estimated that by the end of October, we had hauled roughly 30 dumpsters/ trucks totaling about 120 tons of debris (+/-) to date.
- The Patio and stairways alone will be more than that!
Surprises:
- During the demolition process it is common uncover issues that differ from the “As Built” plans and extensive exploratory work done during design development. Fortunately, our early due diligence has paid off and we have not found any major surprises or concerns. .Below are a few variances that we did uncover. Workarounds for each of these are not complicated and have no significant impact to project budget, meaning, they are well within our expected allowances/contingencies within the overall project budget.
- We did find that there are not enough water shut-off valves to allow us to isolate specific areas. For instance, we cannot shut water off to the locker rooms without effecting other areas of the club still in use.(The resolution to this was a change order for $14,000 in plumbing work).
- We discovered a Sump Pump, under the pro shop that must have been there to remove ground water. We are confirming with the design team if there will be a future need for this sump or if it can be removed. Either way, the cost impact is minimal.
- We expected to and did uncover a few storm-drains from an older version of the clubhouse that need to be tied in to current plans. (We had accounted for this in our planning)
- Similarly, our exploratory work suggested that some HVAC returns and supplies need to be moved to accommodate new capacity and designs.(This has been confirmed and was accounted for in planning.)
Upcoming Main Events for Construction:
- Framing Drywall subs on sight with MEP trades to review layout and plans in a live / real world environment to make sure bulkhead sizes, heights, and spacing, etc., are all okay.
- Demo will be largely complete by Thanksgiving.
- Structural Steel work will commence in November:
- The first part of this is interior and exterior headers and the “less exciting stuff.”
- In December, plans are to begin erecting vertical steel for the new Bar and restaurant areas.
- Once the structure is erected in January, we will begin exterior framing and sheathing to begin “drying-in” the new addition.
- While that process is underway on the new addition, the crews will be working on MEP Rough-in and interior framing, working their way from the locker rooms through the new pro-shop and Simulator Lounge, across the old Hilliard room and into the old pub area so that their work can continue into the new addition once the space is substantially dried-in (meaning the exterior walls are enclosed and window/door installation has progressed.
- HVAC equipment has been released and is expected to ship and arrive by year end or early January.
- We are finalizing furniture and other soft finishes in the coming weeks.
Displays, Material Boards and Renderings are on their way. These will be placed throughout the club for members to enjoy.
Budget and Deliverables
We remain on track for a final delivery of the clubhouse and patio renovations in October of 2025. Thus far, we are on budget and almost all long lead-time and the more expensive materials have been released. All reserves remain in place for the unknown and unexpected.
You will receive continuing updates like this one and you may also see photos of our progress on the club web site.
Pickle and Paddle
We continue to work with the County Zoning Department for approvals of our plan. The plan was necessarily modified to meet zoning requirements and in an effort to avoid public hearings and a new Special Exception Permit. The revised plans maintain two paddle courts (with one being relocated), four pickle courts, space for two additional future paddle courts, two additional future rackets courts (TBD), and a warming hut / activity center.
Our Civil Engineers and a Land Attorney are deeply engaged with the County, and we are hopeful for an aggregable resolution soon.
The relocation of one Paddle Court and the development of four Pickle courts, as presented in this phase of construction would take six to eight weeks for construction and remain within the allotted budgets.
The Construction Committee is meeting regularly with Utica, MTFA, and JFW to ensure that we are informed and making the right decisions for the Belle Haven Membership. We are pleased with their performance at this stage and have confidence in our overall success with the project. We promise to continually keep you informed and are always available if you have questions.
Kind Regards,
The Construction Committee