Westwood tries another approach for clubhouse project

To bond for a new golf course clubhouse and other related improvements, the City of Newton needs Jasper County’s permission to create an urban renewal area for Westwood Golf Course, which is technically located outside city limits.

On Monday, Dec. 7, the Newton City Council authorized the request submittal.

Establishing an urban renewal area does not bind the city council to proceeding with a new clubhouse project at this time or in the future, according to city documents. Additional action will be needed by the city council.

State code allows cities to establish urban renewal areas outside of city limits, so long as they are within two miles of the city limits line. Westwood Golf Course meets the two-mile requirement. The city just needs county consent.

The Newton City Council has wanted a new clubhouse at Westwood Golf Course for the past few years. At its fall goal setting session, the council identified the project as a possible goal for city staff to undertake.

However, subsequent presentations from Newton Community Services Director Brian Laube detailed the difficulties in doing so. In addition to budgetary constraints, the past redesigns of the clubhouse were deemed too expensive.

Staff have since settled on a downsized approach that would likely include an open-air shelter to better accommodate tournaments. This design is estimated to cost $1 million and is set to appear in the city’s fiscal year 2023 CIP plan.

Laube said in November he wants to draw private investments to offset project costs. Another way to fund the new clubhouse would be to create an urban renewal area, which would include two, city-owned parcels.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or
cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com