Planning continues for a new era at the Glencoe Golf Club as cost projections are moving higher.
Village officials are now estimating the renovation and update of the Glencoe Golf Club – highlighted by construction of a 10,000 square foot clubhouse/pro shop – will cost between $17 million to $18 million once construction is completed.
In April 2023, voters approved a bond sale referendum allowing the village to borrow up to $15 million for the project set to replace the existing aging clubhouse.
But now that amount of money may not cover the scope of the envisioned enhancements for the Golf Club that besides the new clubhouse will also include a year round restaurant, an event space and other recreational opportunities.
Deputy Village Manager Nikki Larson traced the higher projected costs to inflation, larger anticipated costs of construction materials, adherence to Cook County sustainability standards and stormwater management issues.
“That’s really unfortunate and that’s life,” Village President Howard Roin said at the March 21 Village Board meeting.
When voters approved the referendum, the projected impact on the Glencoe property taxpayer will be an additional $140 in property taxes for every $10,000 paid on an annual basis for the next 20 years.
That figure will not rise even if costs come in at the current projection.
“We would use other financial sources to cover the additional costs past $15 million,” Larson said.
Larson said the village would be applying for grants to offset some of the costs, noting the construction bids are anticipated in the fall.
Another source of funding will come through the Friends of the Glencoe Golf Club, a 501c3 charitable organization has been set up to raise private dollars.
Friends President Dale Thomas did not specify how much private money has been raised so far.
“The campaign is in the early fundraising stage,” Thomas wrote in an email. “An announcement regarding progress on the project and the campaign will take place in 2025.”
One of the specific costs of the project will be the HVAC system.
At the March 21 meeting, village staff presented the board with the potential benefits of an installation of geothermal heating and cooling system.
“It is a sustainable option that reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and has a lower environmental impact compared to the traditional systems. Geothermal also has fewer moving parts and can be more durable than conventional systems leading to lower maintenance costs over time,” Glencoe Golf Club General Manager Stella Nanos said.
However, she cautioned trustees the startup costs with geothermal would be more expensive, possibly as much as an additional $350,000 to $400,000.
However, staff believes a return on investment can be achieved in seven to 10 years with a geothermal system.
“The energy savings is pretty dramatic,” Village Manager Phil Kiraly added.
Geothermal is familiar in Glencoe as starting in 2012, District 35 installed geothermal systems at its three schools leading to over $40,000 in combined cost savings per year, according to district officials.
Current Village Trustee Gary Ruben was the school board president when District 35 moved in the geothermal direction.
“It turned out to be an excellent decision for the schools and the payback was quicker than anticipated,” Ruben said after the meeting.
While not making any decision, village trustees appeared to support the idea.
“It is going to save the residents and the village money in the long run so I think we should move in that direction,” Roin said.
Kiraly said there would be an update regarding the geothermal proposal at the April Village Board meeting.
Overall, Nanos informed trustees at the March 21 meeting the project has completed the schematic phase and is now in a design/development phase. She added discussions are ongoing regarding site planning, stormwater management solution and sustainability initiatives with the architects retained for the project.
Nano added village staff has shown with preliminary draft plans with the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the construction schedule is being finalized.
“We expect to break ground this fall season,” Nanos said. “We hope to be open a year after we begin.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
