Taunton City committee moves forward with $50,000 clubhouse study for municipal golf course

Taunton City — Members of the Taunton City Golf Committee discussed next steps for a proposed new clubhouse after the city allocated $50,000 from the Capital Improvement Plan to produce renderings and construction estimates.

The committee heard that the rendering delivered by the architect would increase usable space compared with the current facility. “We got $50,000, from the capital improvement plan for, you know, to get the rendering of the, building so that we can submit that for some construction costs,” Councilor Borges said during the meeting.

Why it matters: committee members said a larger clubhouse would give staff and volunteers more usable space, support events and fundraising, and provide improved restrooms and storage. The group discussed siting the new building to overlook the ninth green and swapping the location of the cart barn and clubhouse to preserve an existing patio area.

Key details and next steps - Size: Committee members reported the current workspace is “probably less than 800 square feet,” and said the architect’s rendering appears to provide at least 1,000 square feet and potentially up to 1,500 square feet. - Design and review: An engineer or architect produced renderings and preliminary plans; committee members said they will circulate those plans to board members by email and invite a person referenced as Patrick to present at the committee’s March meeting. - Funding and fundraising: The $50,000 CIP allocation will pay for design/rendering and an initial construction cost estimate. Committee members described plans to launch a capital fundraising campaign after the committee approves a design and cost estimate; options discussed included donor plaques, engraved walkway stones and other sponsorship opportunities. - Site considerations: Members said the ideal site would overlook the ninth green, with the cart barn relocated to preserve an outdoor patio area added a few years earlier. Committee discussion included potential future expansion of the rendering from one side of the building. - Timeline and operations: Committee staff described a target to have turf work and other course improvements timed to open by Memorial Day weekend if weather and sod establishment permit; an alternate milestone mentioned was the Taunton City Open. The group discussed starting on a limited schedule (e.g., one weekday and one weekend day) and expanding based on play and operations. - Course maintenance and other improvements: Members listed other priorities including finishing turf on hole 15, bunker improvements, and paving some sloped cart-path areas; they said priorities will shift as funding and conditions evolve.

Logistics and committee business - Renderings: Committee members said the architect/engineer has sent initial plans and those will be shared with members by email. - Next meeting: Members agreed to invite Patrick to present at the March meeting to move design and cost conversations forward. - Fund accounting and outreach: The committee plans to create/promote a capital account and use the city website and social media to solicit donations once a formal campaign and project scope are approved.

Routine items - Committee members noted upcoming housekeeping items: election of a chair and secretary at the next meeting, parliamentary-procedure training (Robert’s Rules of Order) being offered to members, and an annual conflict-of-interest test originating from the clerk’s office.

The meeting concluded after a procedural motion received a second and the board voted in favor; the motion text was not specified in the transcript.