POA board hears about golf course renovation

At its work session last week, the POA board of directors heard about the firm that may renovate the Country Club Golf Course over the next few years.

A committee that included general manager Tom Judson, golf maintenance director Keith Ihms and board member Jim Abrahamson interviewed representatives of three firms and reviewed their proposals for the project. They chose the firm with the lowest project total to create a master plan.

The goals of the project as communicated to the firms that submitted proposals include stabilizing the stream banks of Little Sugar Creek to limit future flood damage and to renovate the course, raising some tees and greens. It’s a long-term project, Judson emphasized. The master plan is only a first step, but it’s

needed to begin the process of filing for permits to work on the stream bank.

David Whelchel, a golf course architect who serves on the POA board, said construction probably can’t begin any earlier than 2020. It may take 18 months to get the permits. Once the construction begins, the golf course may be closed for a year.

At Thursday’s regular meeting, the board will vote to spend $43,000 to fund the development of the master plan.

The board will also vote for or against a plan to spend $17,000 on green cover tarps for Scotsdale. The course has been closed this summer while several greens were replanted because last year’s harsh temperatures killed the young grass. The greens were covered during bad weather last year, but the tarps did not provide enough protection,

The new heavier tarps can be used on top of the lighter ones used last year for even more protection, Judson said. He believes the price, which is about 10 cents per square foot, is very good.

The board heard about responses to a survey about a proposed community center that went out to 19,000 email addresses. Some 2,564 people or 13 percent responded.

Among the responses, Tanyard Creek was the most used amenity, with 43 percent of the respondents saying they had used it. About half of them said they had brought a guest to one of the POA recreational amenities.

Although 62 percent of the responses favored building a community center, about 700 people chose

not to answer the question. Judson speculated that the people who didn’t answer probably wanted more information before deciding.

During the regular open forum, Linda Lloyd, a city council member and a real estate professional, said the amenities make a big difference to potential home buyers, especially young families. Houses have been selling so quickly, Lloyd said, that there are very few to chose from at any one time.

Mike Abb, the newest member of the board, said the POA should do more to market to young families who might want to become residents. Some efforts, like a POA tent set up at bike events, don’t work because potential residents don’t understand what a POA is.

Board member Mary Sinkus agreed, pointing out that the new welcome center inside the Country Club building has no signage. Visitors don’t know there

is information about Bella Vista in the center.

Board member Pat Laury, who volunteers at the Bella Vista Recycling Center, said the “Guest Check-in” sign, located just past the center’s driveway is confusing. People turn into the center looking for a place to check in or to inquire about lodging.

The board’s regular meeting is Thursday, Aug. 23, at 6:30 p.m., in the Country Club boardroom.