The Enterprise, June 9, 2006, page A-3 Golf Course Clubhouse Project Moving Ahead. By Jason Babcock, Staff Writer

The project was under consideration by the last board of county commissioners, when the Wicomico Shores Golf Course clubhouse was supposed to be leveled and rebuilt. Then a new board of commissioners took office in 2002 and the scope of the work changed to renovate the building instead of replacing it.

On Tuesday, the commissioners approved a concept plan for that renovation of the clubhouse. Lost in the shuffle was $150,000 that ‘‘was previously spent on costs associated with designing the new clubhouse building a few years ago which didn’t move forward,” according to a memorandum from Phil Rollins, director of recreation, parks and community services.

The new project is estimated to cost $2 million. ‘‘I think we’re getting close to the end of a long road,” said Commission President Thomas F. McKay (R).

‘‘We’ve been working on this about five years,” Rollins said.

With the approval of a local task force, the new plan would store about 80 golf carts on the ground level of the clubhouse and move the restaurant and lounge to the top level for a better view of the golf course and the Wicomico River. The space would also be used as a banquet room with capacity for 300 people. The building would be expanded out over the existing patio on the second floor.

While the golf course is open for players, there would be a partition separating the restaurant and lounge from the banquet room during events.

The county has secured Dennis Anderson Construction to work on the design and the construction of the clubhouse and design, and engineering should be completed by October. Final cost estimates should be completed then, too.

Information as of March 2004

The county has been working on plans for replacing the Clubhouse for the past three years because of significant problems and deficiencies with the existing building. The decision to replace the facility was made by the County Commissioners after a task force estimated the cost to renovate the existing building was about $1 million. The new clubhouse is expected to be paid for from golf course and clubhouse revenues only.

Two bids were received by the County in December 2003 to construct the replacement facility. The low bid was about $400,000 over the project budget of $1.5 million. After meeting with the contractors and architect to look at possible cost saving measures, it was determined that the project couldn’t be done as designed. As a result, the County Commissioners recently decided to have a soon-to-be appointed Golf Course Advisory Board evaluate the options for moving forward with the project. Possible options include reducing the scope of work for the current design and re-bidding; redesigning the building; and reconsidering renovation of the existing building.

It is hoped that a recommendation to the Commissioners will be forthcoming from the Advisory Board later this spring. Depending on the option selected, construction could still begin in 2004 or be delayed for a year or more.

Contact St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks for additional information - phone 301-475-4200x1811.

Information as of July 2001

St. Mary's County Parks & Recreation proposes replacing the Wicomico Shores Golf Clubhouse beginning Fall 2001. The Department has raised $1.2 million dollars towards this effort. Parks & Recreation held a meeting June 7, 2001 to unveil the initial proposed replacement Golf Clubhouse; the revised proposal is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, August 7th at 2:15 at the Board of County Commissioners Room #14 location.

• Current Clubhouse Pictures


• Proposed (June 7th) Clubhouse Diagrams (86k .pdf)


• Proposed (August 7th) Clubhouse Diagrams

• Larger Banquet Room


• Current room holds 120
• Current neighborhood has 373 single family homes
• Current homeowner meetings standing room only (Sunday April 29, 2001 2pm & Tuesday May 1, 2001 7pm)
• Proposed (June 7th) room to hold 75-100
• Neighborhood to grow to 1218 single family homes
• Community Rooms


• None currently exist or proposed
• Small Community Rooms which could be rented for bridal showers or other community functions are desired. These rooms could also be utilized by Golf Course staff for their internal meetings.
• Golf Cart Facility


• Proposed (June 7th) plan meets current golf cart needs
• Growth should be built into plan
• Handicapped Accomodations


• Proposed (June 7th) plan requires wheelchairs to use outside to go from one floor to other floor
• Handicapped access between floors should be within the structure
• Golf Staff Office Space


• Proposed (June 7th) plan meets today's needs for Golf Staff's office space
• Growth of St. Mary's County & use of Golf Course will require future additional staff. Space could be used as storage until such time as needed by Parks & Recreation Staff at Wicomico Shores Golf Course
• Interum Community Space


• There is no other facility within 5 miles of Wicomico Shores for community homeowner meetings
• Proposed facility is in same spot as existing facility
• One year (minimum) construction window announced by Parks & Recreation
• Ideas for interrum space for homeowner meetings is eagerly sought