Westborough committee reviews four clubhouse concepts; favors single-building and two-story trade-offs

Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects presented four conceptual schemes for a new Westborough Golf Club clubhouse at the Town of Westborough Municipal Billing Committee meeting on July 11, 2024, and committee members gave preliminary feedback on circulation, deliveries, parking and program needs.

The consultants, Arthur Love and Lauren Mitchell of BFE Architects, told the committee the existing building has been scanned and documented in three-dimensional imagery and that the day’s focus was on new‑construction options; renovation alternatives will be shown at the next meeting. "Well, first off, thank you, for selecting BFE Architects. We're excited to start this project," Arthur Love said as the presentation began.

The study reviewed four conceptual options: (1) two separate one‑story footprints (pro shop and restaurant) linked by a covered breezeway; (2) a street‑front pro shop with a restaurant and small concession; (3) a single, consolidated one‑story building with shared restrooms and a private dining/function space; and (4) a two‑story layout that yields more parking and a smaller footprint but requires vertical circulation and accessibility accommodations.

Committee members and golf staff repeatedly raised operational questions. Matt, who runs the golf shop, said visibility to the first tee and delivery access are priorities and favored options that keep the pro shop close to the tee. "This rendering is my favorite as well. I think it's the most functional and the most efficient use of the space," Matt said, referring to the consolidated single‑building option.

Architects estimated one option would add about 11 net parking spaces compared with the existing footprint; one callout on a two‑story plan referenced 37 spaces. On relocating the putting green, Matt gave a rough cost range of "$50,000–$100,000," noting irrigation and drainage relocation would drive up cost. The architects said they would hand refined concepts to a cost estimator for a three‑week conceptual estimate.

Members also discussed program details: the pro shop needs retail and bag storage but few members use locker rooms, so committee members supported replacing full locker rooms with bag storage to reduce ongoing maintenance. The architects noted a common restaurant planning rule of thumb—roughly a 60/40 split of seating to back‑of‑house—as a baseline when sizing kitchens and storage.

On process, the chair reiterated that the meeting was a feasibility review, not a final decision: "We're just doing the feasibility study here," the chair said, stressing that architects will refine options. Jim Stewart volunteered to work with town staff to post the presented drawings and explanatory notes on the town website so residents can review the concepts and provide feedback.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the minutes from its June 27 meeting by roll-call vote; it also voted to pay BFE Architects an invoice for $11,890 for architectural services. Both measures passed in recorded roll-call votes.

Next steps: BFE will return in two weeks with renovation options and the committee will refine its preferred concept before sending materials to a cost estimator. The committee scheduled its next meeting for July 25 at 8 a.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.

Officials emphasized the study is an early step in a longer design and public‑engagement process; no binding commitments were made at the session.