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Sassamon Trace plans phased bunker replacements, path paving; pump house specs to be bid in fall
Summary
Advisory committee members heard that bunker replacement bids exceeded budget, prompting a two-phase plan with Phase 1 bidding Aug. 15, 2026 and completion by May 2027; path paving starts June 29 with bridge paving slated for November 2026. Pump house specs and bidding will proceed in fall 2026.
Town of Natick staff presented a phased capital plan for Sassamon Trace Golf Course after initial bunker replacement bids came in above the committee's budget.
Superintendent Eric Fontaine told the advisory committee that the plan is to split bunker work into two phases. Phase 1 will replace bunkers at holes 4, 5, 6 and 7 left; if budgetary savings remain after Phase 1 the work could also include 7 right and 8. Phase 1 bids are scheduled to be issued Aug. 15, 2026, with work to be completed by May 2027. Phase 2 requires a funding request at the fall town meeting and subsequent state approval; if approved, bids would go out in January 2027 with completion by fall 2027.
On paving, General Manager Kurt McDowell said contractors had left gravel that allowed expansion of the parking area; fully paving the lot is estimated to cost $60,000 to $70,000, so the committee's current plan prioritizes paving walking and cart paths. Work will begin by tearing up the path near hole 1 on June 29, with paving scheduled July 1'2. The bridge paving that will prevent cart crossing is slated for November 2026. McDowell estimated $15,000 to repair the path near hole 9 and roughly $50,000 for the rest of the paths.
The committee also recorded that the budget for a new pump house has been approved and that specifications will be prepared; bids are expected in fall 2026 and actual construction timing will depend on contractor schedules.
Committee members emphasized phasing and timing to limit disruption to golfers and to keep portions of the work under the threshold that would require formal bidding.
