Concord residents took to the Community Center on Saturday morning to hear plans from developers and architects for the construction of a new clubhouse at Beaver Meadow Golf Course.

Through a series of slideshows, H.L. Turner Group developers and architects took community members through their plans to knock down the existing clubhouse, reconfigure the parking area and walkways and create a dynamic space for a golf pro shop, a simulator wing, a restaurant and event space, commercial offices and storage for golf carts and other gear for golfers, skiers, snowshoers and ice skaters alike, explained Phil Davis, the head golf professional at Beaver Meadow.

“We haven’t designed anything and we are starting to explore the process of what we want to build and where we want to build it and this is a rare opportunity with any golf course to be able to take public input on what should happen on the land and create something special,” said Doug Proctor of H.L. Turner Group.

Project managers are in the beginning stages of analyzing the site with plans to bring their findings, cost projections and final project designs to city councilors for approval. In the meantime, residents identified five key features they want developers to focus on: golf, golf simulations, restaurant/bar, outdoor dining and patio area, and cross country skiing.

Golf professionals and hobbyists, snowshoers and cross country skiers expressed their excitement for what could be but asked developers to consider equipment rentals, outdoor locker room space for gear storage, transportation and parking.

“My concern is the parking because of the overflow you often have for events and special golf days and we’ve noticed restrictive parking during the season,” said Richard Treichler of Beaver Meadow Drive. “It’s dangerous and I know you’re aware of the parking needs but I want to express that parking is a major concern if you’re increasing the number of people that will be using the facility.”

In the pre-design face, developers expect to face constraints with parking, in addition to the golf course itself and building the clubhouse to be higher, said Andrew Weaver of the Turner Group.

Though the golf course is open to the public and offers community-oriented camps and activities, a rarity among facilities nationwide, some questioned accessibility and transportation concerns for residents that don’t live within the vicinity or don’t have personal transportation.

“I’m asking about accessibility to New American, low-income and BIPOC communities in our City of Concord,” questioned Charm Camacho. “I love and appreciate the fact that there is a free space and campus but the issue becomes transportation; how will we get these children there to participate at this beautiful and amazing facility?”

Because the project is in its very beginning stages, conversations around transportation, the cost to build the facility, tax impacts and a timeline have not been discussed but inclusivity remains a top priority in discussions, said Phil Davis, head golf professional of the golf course. Residents were encouraged to redirect their questions to city councilors during a public hearing after site plans are presented.

“While looking at the space, if you are sincere in your desire to create access to the facilities for low-income individuals, conversations should be happening at this time about how to run a bus route, not later when we’re told it can’t happen,” added Judith Kurtz.

Continuing, she added that to create an equitable and inclusive facility, equipment should be available to community members who want to participate. Her comments were echoed by Camacho, Meredith Cooley and ward 10 city councilor Zandra Rice Hawkins.

“This is a public golf course and we are trying to make it as useful as possible for different activities,” Davis said. “We don’t have a sense of when this will break ground, or how much it will cost, but we are timing the sequence to interfere with golf play as little as possible.”

The suggestions made by community members will be taken under advisement by the subcommittee appointed by Mayor Jim Bouley to aid in the decision-making and design review of the clubhouse. As the project progresses more public forums will be held to allow for public input.

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