Consultants recommend phased repairs for Plantation Preserve golf course; council weighs timber vs. long‑life options

Dylan Larson, project manager at Miller Legg, told the Plantation City Council on April 15 that the Plantation Preserve Golf Course is structurally sound in layout but needs targeted infrastructure work, recommending bridges and timber bulkheads, and a likely irrigation and pump replacement before broader turf and green improvements planned for fiscal 2028.

Larson said the assessment focused on existing conditions across tees, fairways, greens, sand bunkers, bulkheads, bridges and the pump house, and that much of the course’s irrigation software is about 20 years old and no longer supported. "The pump is the heartbeat of your whole irrigation system," Larson said, framing the pump‑house electrical and code questions as a key technical driver for sequencing work.

The consultants presented a prioritized approach: (1) investigate and replace or repair bridges and bulkheads (holes 7, 9 and 12 were highlighted), (2) evaluate and likely replace the pump and related electrical work, and (3) procure turf early and pre‑qualify golf course contractors so major course work can occur in fiscal 2028. Larson stressed that turf varieties must be ordered in advance and that procurement timelines and contractor availability make a 2028 construction window more realistic than 2027.

Why it matters: the city operates an active course that draws heavy play—council members cited more than 60,000 rounds per year—and the recommended sequence is designed to reduce the risk of having to redo newly finished areas if a later pump or bulkhead replacement disrupts greens or irrigation. Larson said early replacement of high‑risk infrastructure is an insurance policy to prevent delays during broader course work.

Council members questioned whether the project is a renovation or an infrastructure‑first improvement. "It's not really a redesign or renovation," Larson said, clarifying that the proposal intends to preserve hole layout and par while improving turf, bunkers, cart circulation and drainage. Several council members urged that the visual appearance be upgraded where feasible. Council Member Andreu and others noted that while timber is the most cost‑effective short‑term option, longer‑life alternatives such as concrete or steel would increase longevity but at 2–3 times the per‑linear‑foot cost.

Consultant Harry Bauer of Signature Design Services recommended turf conversions on the putting surfaces to an ultra‑dwarf Bermuda (TifEagle) and suggested interface Bermudas such as TifTuf for surrounds and fairways. Bauer cautioned that converting from the existing Paspalum variety will require stripping and burying the old root/soil layers because Paspalum has aggressive roots and specific maintenance demands.

Staff and next steps: Jason Nunamaker, the city’s chief administrative officer, said staff sought council feedback and would return with more detailed cost information and recommendations, including communications plans, at the April 29 meeting. Nunamaker said stepped‑up maintenance could extend some timber features’ life while the city decides on replacement materials, and he emphasized cost sensitivity to keep green fees competitive.

Resident outreach and construction impacts: Council Member Bridal Stein asked for a resident liaison and a clear website contact for neighbors affected by construction; staff said a liaison provided by the city’s capital projects team (CAP projects) is likely and that outreach material would be posted once the council authorizes next steps. Larson noted environmental permitting implications—specifically, the presence of burrowing owls—that will shape construction timing and mitigation measures.

Cost and schedule considerations: the consultants presented rough orders of magnitude for bulkhead materials—timber restoration estimated at about $200–$400 per linear foot versus concrete at $600–$1,000 per linear foot—and stressed that major turf work requires lead times for sod production and contractor scheduling. Because many contractors target the off‑season, Larson said securing qualified bidders and turf deposits early is essential to meet a spring‑to‑fall construction window.

What was not decided: council did not vote on any motion. Staff did not request a formal decision at the workshop; instead, officials asked for feedback on material tradeoffs, aesthetics and communications ahead of the April 29 agenda item. The council also requested more detailed cost estimates and potential lifetime comparisons for timber versus higher‑cost alternatives.

The workshop adjourned with thanks to the consultants. Staff will return with refined recommendations, cost estimates and a proposed communications plan for neighbor outreach on April 29.