FAQs

The decision to not do cart storage under the deck was indeed a difficult one. Unfortunately the elevation change to have more of a “walk-out” basement could not be realized unless the clubhouse was constructed closer to or on the 9th green. Without the benefit of grade, this basement storage had to be dug out and significant ramps were required to get carts in and out. It was one of the many technical challenges of this solution that ultimately drove up the cost. As such, a decision on cart storage will be deferred and any future facility will be free-standing.

This will only be finalized through tendered numbers. Pre-tender estimates are being finalized. During the feasibility study presented to Council in October of 2020 the project budget range was between 4 and 7 million.

The project team has made all efforts to maintain trees by siting the new clubhouse on the location of the existing. Unfortunately, the trees referenced will be lost. They are too mature to be relocated.

The Gallagher Centre Renewal project was put on hold while further investigation into the future viability of the Kinsmen Arena, to continue operating as an ice arena, was further investigated. A summary of those findings will be presented to Council later this fall to inform their decision for either replacing the Kinsmen Arena or investing resources for improving it.

The decision to not do cart storage under the deck was indeed a difficult one. Unfortunately the elevation change to have more of a “walk-out” basement could not be realized unless the clubhouse was constructed closer to or on the 9th green. Without the benefit of grade, this basement storage had to be dug out and significant ramps were required to get carts in and out. It was one of the many technical challenges of this solution that ultimately drove up the cost.

Although usage/participant numbers are an important factor when replacing community infrastructure, the Kinsmen Arena and Deer Park Clubhouse are both older assets that have reached the end of their useful life, as determined by various 3rd party studies. Therefore, both facilities are in need of significant upgrade or replacement in order for all members of the community to be able to continue to benefit from their use.

In our cold climate even a mid-summer evening can cool off, and the fireplace is designed to allow indoor as well as outdoor usage.

While Deer Park may be used for facility rentals as users desire a more intimate gathering space, its design has been focused on supporting golf in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter.

Redeveloping the golf course clubhouse would replace the City’s oldest recreation infrastructure which has a myriad of challenges. Golf course revenue, however, is largely driven by the course itself and green fees. As such, a new building is unlikely to cover any yearly shortfall.

Redeveloping the golf course clubhouse would replace the City’s oldest recreation infrastructure which has a myriad of challenges. Golf course revenue, however, is largely driven by the course itself and green fees. As such, a new building is unlikely to cover any yearly shortfall.

The restaurant will be designed to be utilized in four seasons and could host events during the off season. Operationally it may not make financial sense to have the restaurant open at all times during the winter, but this could be examined upon building opening.

Pending budget, there are plans to pave the roadway and parking after construction is completed.

A new plan has been uploaded to show the footprint of the current clubhouse.

Both the Kinsmen and the Clubhouse were identified as requiring attention. Each had separate challenges that made it hard to prioritize one over the other.

Based on the findings of the Recreation Feasibility Study, in 2019 Council approved looking at the detailed design for the replacement of the Kinsmen Arena. After the design process and community consultation, it was decided to take a pause on this project. Soon after the Kinsmen Arena replacement/Gallagher Center Renewal project concluded, Council gave direction to explore the feasibility of replacing the Deer Park Clubhouse. This project has now proceeded through the design process to pre-tender and community consultation.

Based on the above, no project was given priority over the other and the Kinsmen is actually being examined in more detail first, not bypassed.

It is not unreasonable to provide an office for the golf course superintendent along with a place for staff to come in to the clubhouse during break, as this is one of the multitude of functions envisioned for the meeting room. There is a lack of space existing in the maintenance area currently for such functions.

Although operating costs are important factors in the operation of any public facility, both the Kinsmen Arena and the Deer Park Golf Course require significant investment by taxpayers to ensure both facilities can continue to provide a benefit to all community members.

It should be noted that the clubhouse at Deer Park is used by the Cross Country ski club in the winter months, and the new Clubhouse design will greatly enhance the winter usage experience. This includes school groups having a place to congregate before and after a skiing trip in the dining area. Tobogganing may also benefit from accessible washrooms while the facility is open during the winter.

 The meeting room has been envisioned to provide the following services

• A tournament room, especially for more competitive tournaments where scorecards can be collected and officials can gather. Tournaments currently utilize the sunroom to manage their tournaments and store/distribute prizes, which conflicts with the need to serve meals and impacts the facility capacity.
• For events this can be used as a break-out room.
• Maintenance staff will be provided this room for use as there are no other staff facilities on the site.
• The most important use is for the Ski Club in winter. The Ski Club rents cross country skis and requested a room that they could keep their equipment locked. Having this room will give them a prominent, safe, and secure place to set up during the winter months.

Even prior to the COVID pandemic it was determined by facility users that a locker room is not well utilized. It was decided to use this space for other clubhouse features. More specifically, club storage was noted as a priority by members over lockers. If, however, there is a rejuvenated interest in lockers in the new facility, a number of lockers could be added into the washrooms. There is a room allocated that can be used for golfers to change from work clothes into golf attire. This room is located just off the pro-shop and can also be used to try on merchandise.

Beyond golf the Cross Country ski club and tobogganers will benefit from enhanced spaces for these recreational pastimes.

Every activity or event that takes place in the community has an economic spin off. It is difficult to quantify, without completing an economic impact assessment of every event or tournament etc. to determine which one is more valuable to the community. In order to maintain the economic impact of both facilities, significant investment is required to ensure that both facilities can continue to provide economic value to the community.

Early in the process it was identified that the Deer Park Pro Shop is the only golf shop remaining in the City. As such, it was desirable that the pro shop sales area be maintained. That said, the size of sales floor is undersized to reflect the modern golfer’s desire for club fitting carts and the Pro’s desire to carry less inventory.

The club is currently down to ~70 bags stored. As such, allowing for 92 provides room for some growth.

It is agreed that a fireplace is not required. It is, however, a desirable feature that people do enjoy as part of a gathering space.

The flexibility in seating is derived from the large covered patio and the doors that can be opened from the dining room to this space. This design inspiration came from user feedback seen at many other clubs and allows for a number of seating opportunities, both inside, and in conditioned and non-conditioned spaces outside.  

In discussion with the users the consensus is that golfers are moving away from showering at the Clubhouse. This same consensus formed regarding locker rooms in general.

The soil conditions on the site resulted in a full crawlspace under the building. This space cannot be utilized for storage based on the building code, and there was no desire to fund additional excavation to a full basement.

Thank you for your feedback. This is an important accommodation and we will work to incorporate it within the plan.

The palette selected is purposely quite natural. Color can be difficult to select as it results in facilities that look modern at opening, then ultimately can be dated as the facility ages.

A display area and trophy case has been positioned in the main corridor just off the front entry.

A generously sized room has been provided for tables, linens, and beverage storage adjacent to the point-of-sale. This would not include kitchen storage (dry goods, plates, etc.) which are accommodated in the kitchen itself.

The team understands that in any project there can never be enough storage. The amount provided must be balanced against available building area and funding.