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Davenport parks director outlines $2.5 million plan for EMIS golf clubhouse; city approved $1 million seed
Summary
Parks staff described a proposed 5,600-square-foot clubhouse at EMIS with an estimated cost of $2.5–2.6 million, a $1 million FY26 city budget allocation and a $300,000 First Tee contribution, and said the department must raise roughly $1.3 million to proceed to formal design and bid.
Davenport Parks and Recreation Director Chad briefed the Parks Advisory Board on plans for a new clubhouse at EMIS, saying the department expects a roughly 5,600-square-foot replacement building and an estimated project cost of about $2.5 million to $2.6 million.
The project, Chad said, would include a pro shop, a multipurpose meeting/classroom area to support First Tee programming, concessions, a front desk, storage and restrooms. “First Tee ... will be contributing $300,000 to the cost of the project for their classroom space,” Chad said.
The department has secured a $1 million allocation in the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, which Chad described as seed money. He said the department now needs to raise about $1.3 million from donors and grants before advancing to formal design and bid documents, with construction targeted for calendar year 2026 if fundraising and design proceed on schedule.
Chad described early design work with OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids and said the city assembled an exploratory committee with golf staff and community volunteers to develop concept plans. He told the board the department is seeking one or two “signature donors” to kick off private fundraising and will supplement those donations with grants and charitable requests similar to the approach used for the Miracle Field project.
Board members asked about cart storage and equipment procurement. One member asked whether the new clubhouse design includes golf cart storage; Chad said the current concept does not include interior cart storage because of cost but said the design could be adjusted during plan development and suggested enclosing an existing shelter near the 18th green as a potential storage solution. On leasing versus owning carts, Chad said the department currently leases carts and has not pursued ownership recently because of lease cost increases and fleet-management capacity concerns.
Board members expressed enthusiasm about the project and encouraged staff to share public materials. Chad said the department will provide a link to a recent Quad City Times article about the project and will communicate fundraising and design milestones as they develop.
The board did not take a formal vote on the project at this meeting; Chad described the budget allocation as approved outside this advisory meeting and the site and final design as contingent on completed fundraising and council/administration approvals.
