This summer season could possibly be the ultimate season for the Petawawa Golf Membership.
The course and clubhouse is positioned on base and owned by Garrison Petawawa however operated by civilians.
The membership was just lately knowledgeable that the clubhouse must shut by April 2025 resulting from a scarcity of funds to maintain the constructing working safely.
“They’re utilizing the excuse that the constructing is unsafe resulting from electrical and plumbing, that’s not the case,” mentioned Bob Nancekivell, a groundskeeper on the Petawawa Golf Membership.
“Why are we nonetheless within the constructing now if it is unsafe? Why did they put, we predict a $2-million elevator in right here if the constructing was unsafe?”
Garrison Petawawa base commander Col. Jason Guiney says the constructing is owned by the Division of Nationwide Defence, and laws throughout “a distinct fiscal actuality” affect the set up of an elevator on the clubhouse – an elevator that’s nonetheless below building and has been for fairly a while in line with Nancekivell.
However Col. Guiney says the long-term way forward for the clubhouse isn’t sustainable below its present price ticket.
“The preliminary tough order of magnitude estimate for the repairs and renovations which are required for that a part of the constructing to function now, to ship meals and beverage, is round $7-million.”
The bottom commander says these funds are actually wanted for navy coaching, which is ready to ramp up over the approaching yr.
“Given the estimated $7-million restore invoice for the ability, it needs to be prioritized to operational well being and security wants in help of our upcoming operations.”
The course is on the market to be used by navy personnel and civilians, and offers a wide range of companies comparable to junior golf applications at value efficient costs.
“It offers the children a possibility to take part in golf that may be an costly enterprise, offers the household a break, and contains their dad and mom as properly,” mentioned Jackie Findlay, a coordinator of the membership’s junior golf applications and charity tournaments.
There may be additionally a priority that shedding a social and leisure house such because the golf course could possibly be damaging for morale amongst lively members and veterans.
“We wish to get them out of their homes, out of their basements, and we wish to get them on to the golf course,” says Jim Myler, a member of the board of administrators with Emeritus Golf, a company that’s dedicated to offering entry to the sport of golf to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, first responders, each retired, serving, and their households.
“We wish to get them with like-minded folks like themselves, in order that they will exit, benefit from the recreation of golf and never keep at house and be alone.”
The clubhouse additionally brings in income by its occasion house, which might additionally shut down subsequent spring.
“They have weddings scheduled there, however now they’re phoning brides to say I am sorry your marriage ceremony in 2025 is now off,” mentioned Nancekivell.
Col. Guiney says he doesn’t wish to see golf depart the bottom, however the membership says working the course isn’t economically viable with out the clubhouse.
“Regretfully the repairs or renovations which are required to maintain that constructing going for meals and beverage in its present kind are simply past our economical means for the time being.”
