With Councillors Quinn Haider and Darcy Zaharia opposed Council approved a budget of $7,200,000 for the project.
But, the project will still need to come back to Council after tenders are received, and could be altered, even if the tenders come in below budget.
There will actually be three related tenders put out in the next few weeks.
The main building for the clubhouse has a suggested budget of just under $5 million.
Site work, including demolition of the existing clubhouse, asphalt and landscaping is budgeted at $1.2 million.
And extending water and sewer services to the course at $924,000.
The overall project is budgeted at $7,140,120.
As part of the original conceptual planning process, a high level estimate range of between $4 and $7 million dollars was provided to Council during the Feasibility Study Council presentation on Oct. 26, 2020.
The matter was before Council as the Deer Park Clubhouse Steering Committee and aodbt Architecture and Interior Design have completed the 100 per cent design process for a proposed new Clubhouse, explained Darcy McLeod – Director of Community Development, Parks & Recreation, with the City.
As for paying for the project, if it ultimately moves forward it was suggested it could be funded partially with $2.2 million in realized cost savings on the City Operations Centre Project.
The City would then need to borrow $5 million, with payments to come from previous Gallagher Centre Debt payments.
While Council would approve going to tender, it was not without protracted debate.
Councillor Haider was one not wanting to move forward citing the cost of whatever might be needed to revitalize or replace the Kinsmen Arena remains on the horizon too and the golf clubhouse decision should not be made in isolation of knowing more about that project.
McLeod said the finding of a consultant who is determining what it will cost to keep the existing Kinsmen Arena viable for the next 15 years is expected to be presented at the Nov. 15 meeting of Council.
Zaharia agreed.
“I’d like to see what’s going on at the Kinsmen before we make a decision (on the clubhouse),” he said. “… I’m not in favour at all . . . of sending it to tender tonight.”
Coun. Ken Chyz said going to tender would clarify the project’s potential impact.
“Sending this to tender we see where we’re at,” he said.
Coun. Randy Goulden suggested the clubhouse was a project overdo to move forward.
“This clubhouse has been on our table for many, many years. I’m prepared to see the tender cost,” she said.
Mayor Mitch Hippsley said the decision was ultimately “about what’s best for Yorkton,” adding he believes the clubhouse will benefit more than golfers, including attracting tourists and serving cross country skiers and sledders.
It is expected the tenders will be back before Council in late January of 2022.
