2022 Projects Building for the Future
2022 Projects Executive Summary • Three projects are included, the largest is Creek Repair estimated to cost $3,600,000. • Golf facility enhancement for short game practice will include a chip and putt course and a practice chipping green with sand traps. • Bocce Ball Courts will be added. • Total estimated cost is $4,000,000.
2022 Projects Executive Summary (continued) • Funds for the projects will come from a blend of cash on hand, borrowing, and an assessment. • Assessment amount per golf member is $4,000. For junior golf members, the amount will be $3,000. For social members, the amount will be $500. • Additional details and specifics are included in the following slides.
FHCC Vision We have a passion for consistently exceeding, and anticipating, our members’ expectations, and endeavor to provide programs, facilities and other offerings that support high utilization by our members and their families and a rewarding and satisfying work environment for our employees.
Building for the Future In line with the vision of our club, the board is proposing an investment in our golf course and the addition of two new amenities to support our goals of providing our members with an exceptional experience.
2022 Projects • Creekbank Repair to address significant erosion damage along holes 4, 5, 7, 8, and 14 of the Championship Course. This represents 90% of the cost of the projects. • A Short Game Practice Area to improve our golf training facilities. • New Bocce Ball courts for members and guests to enjoy additional social interaction opportunities.
Creek Repair What is the cause of the severe erosion being experienced in the creeks? Full development of the watershed upstream of the Club has led to higher peak flow volumes. Development of vacant land in the last 30 years includes: • • • •
Marquette High School Subdivisions east of Clarkson Road Commercial development east of Clarkson Road Increased impermeable areas due to widening of Clarkson Road from 2 lanes to 5 lanes.
Creek Repair How did we get to where we are today? This upstream development of impermeable surfaces along with an increase in the frequency and intensity of rain events has exacerbated and intensified the naturally occurring erosion process. Seeing is believing…
Hole 5 Area Creek Increased water volume leads to higher peak flow levels, more turbulence and increased creek bank and streambed erosion. Click here to view the video
Creek Flows at Dutch’s Hut Bridge Increased water volume leads to higher peak flow levels, more turbulence and increased creek bank and streambed erosion. Click here to view the video
Creekbank Erosion Repair Is this a new problem? Engineering studies have been conducted multiple times since 2005/2006, but problems have increased significantly in recent years.
Creek Repair Engineer’s Report • “minor to severe, ongoing erosion of streambanks and down-cutting of the streambed” observed along Shotwell Creek and Tributary B has continued, apparently at an increased rate.” • “ever-increasing storm-flow volumes and velocities resulting from upstream development.”
Creek Repair Why is stopping this erosion so critical? • Ongoing erosion is eliminating playing area and threatening “playability” on holes 4, 5, 7, 8, and 14.
• Erosion is hindering the potential for course improvements such as consideration of relocation of the #13 green. • The erosion has exposed cables, drainpipes and tree roots while detracting from the safety and appearance of the course.
Creek Repair Engineer’s Report • “current and future threats to golf course fairways, cart paths, walk and cart bridges, and other infrastructure remain, making corrective actions ever more urgent.” • “major corrective actions now needed….longterm engineered stream stabilization.”
Example of Erosion Problems
Severe erosion of creek bank between holes 7 and 8 has resulted in exposure of buried electrical utility lines. These high voltage lines are “live” and represent a safety concern that is being addressed by Ameren.
Example of Erosion Problems
Erosion of streambed and banks between holes 7 and 8. The bank along hole 8 is being undercut, resulting in safety concerns and threats to playing area.
Example of Erosion Problems
Bank erosion along hole 7, the end of the pipe was installed even with the bank originally. It is estimated that 10+ feet of erosion has occurred in the last 15 years in this area, threatening playing area on hole 7.
Example of Erosion Problems
Erosion of bank near hole 14 tee boxes. Approximately 16’ of bank erosion has occurred in this area in the last 15 years. Restoration and protection is needed to allow for future improvements to hole 13.
Creek Repair What are the long-term benefits? • Provide a stable, drainage system to protect our most valuable physical asset. • Ensure that future potential course improvements, currently being considered by our Course Architect, will have a stable drainage infrastructure.
Creek Repair What can we do? Designs, prepared by the engineers, provide for repair/replacement of some of the areas of creek gabion basket walls due to severe deterioration and loss of material from the existing baskets (primarily hole 5 creek area).
Engineer’s Designed Solution • Installation of vertical bank reinforcement on each side of the creek, similar to what was done in the creek section across hole 7 fairway, using redi-block instead of limestone boulders to reduce overall project cost. • Re-level and pave the creek bottoms to reduce flow turbulence, increase flow velocity, and eliminate future erosion concerns in the repaired areas. This is similar to the concrete bottom installed recently in the creek section which crosses hole 7.
Engineer’s Designed Solution • Provide maintainable (easily mowed) slopes from the top of the sidewalls up to existing grade. Similar to the areas above the limestone walls on hole 7. • This approach keeps the flow within the creeks for all but the most severe rain events and will significantly reduce future erosion and flooding concerns along the creeks.
Examples of Redi-Rock Walls
Engineer’s Designed Solution • For the area along hole 5, damaged gabion baskets (wire baskets filled with rock) will be removed and replaced, additional gabion baskets will be installed, and the creek bottom re-leveled and paved with concrete. • For the area between hole 9 tees and the creek junction in front of hole 5 tees, a mix of solutions will be used. Installation of piping to carry the creek between hole 9 tees and the hole 5 tee walking bridge is being designed currently.
Cost of Phase 1 Creek Work Preliminary Estimates • Installation of walls and paving of streambeds: $2,900,000 • Tree and stump removal: $80,000 • Restoration work for grading, sprinklers, seeding sodding: $75,000 • Inflation allowance – 4%: $120,000 • Contingencies – 14%: $425,000 • Total estimated: $3,600,000
Short Game Practice Area • Our Golf Course Architect has designed a short game practice area proposed to be installed to the right of hole 1 tee boxes. The area includes: – A chipping practice green which includes two bunkers and allows for side hill, down hill, up hill and level chipping practice. – A six-hole chip and putt practice area which incorporates multiple small greens and two hitting mat tee areas per green. – Estimated construction cost is $275,000; start of play is projected for April 2023.
Short Game Practice Area • Addition of a dedicated short game practice area will provide the following benefits: – Enhanced teaching area for lessons and the junior golf program. – Clinic area for juniors, women and men. – Two sand bunkers with room for up to 4 players per bunker with a maintained green surface. – Chip and putt course to practice short, 40-to-50-yard, chip shots to a maintained green surface. – Contest area for tournaments and club events. – Social interaction area for club members. – Area for use by people using the club facilities for weddings and other parties.
Short Game Practice Area
Bocce Ball Courts • Installation of two Bocce Ball Courts with artificial turf playing surfaces to allow for reduced maintenance costs, and all-weather playability. • A location which provides ready access to the Clubhouse and Cabana for food and beverage availability is desired. • Estimated cost - $95,000
Bocce Ball Courts • 2 Seasons- Spring/Fall • 8-12 players per team • Cost $60-$75/season - Includes light appetizers on league nights - Trophies - Prizes -50% Profit (offset all maintenance costs) • Staff -1 Bartender, 1 Server, 1 Runner • Bocce Commissioner (staff management)
Bocce Ball Financial Impact Benefits • Revenue: We anticipate increased food and beverage revenues on league nights which will help improve our financial performance • Generational Camaraderie • Event Outlet - Bocce Parties, Corporate Events, Member Events - Add-ons to other Club events (ie; golf, tennis, weddings and other parties) Other clubs using this approach, have seen a positive financial impact in club revenues and positive gross profits. It is estimated that impact to the current food and beverage operations will be positive.
Bocce Ball Courts
Club Enhancement Projects • Creek Repair • Short Game Practice Area • Bocce Ball Courts
$3,600,000 $275,000 $95,000
• Total Project Investment*:
$4,000,000
*Total allows for some flexibility above the individual project sums.
Project Team • In addition to the Engineers who performed the project design, and will continue to advise us during construction as needed, our internal resources include: – Board members who have agreed to help manage the overall project and provide oversight. These members have over 50 years of combined experience in: engineering, construction project design, project management and completion.
Project Team – A highly experienced course superintendent who will work closely with the contractor to assure impact to club operations is coordinated and communicated to the members. – The creek repair projects have been evaluated, discussed, and endorsed by: The Golf Committee, The Grounds Committee, The Long Range Planning Committee, and The Board of Directors.
Financial Information • Board Approved Debt Ceiling – $5.3M dollar debt ceiling, increased from $4M in 2018 – At current interest rates, borrowing to fund part of this needed project is the most economical choice for the Club • Current Debt – $3.35M at 9/30/21 – $1.9M borrowing capacity, net $1.65M with refinancing of higher rate debt
Financial Information • Debt Service – Refinance existing debt arrangements – Increase debt service charge by $25 per month/member
Financial Information • Assessment – $4,000 for regular member, $3,000 for Junior Golf Members, $500 for Social Members • Assessment reduced with cash on hand from Employee Retention Credits. • Billed in two installments, as necessary by project construction schedule. We currently anticipate a total of two payments will be needed in March and July of 2022 to fund the projects.
Voting Procedure and Timeline • November 18, 2021: • January 23, 2022: • January 26, 2022:
• January 31, 2022: • February 10, 2022: • February 17, 2022: • February 24, 2022:
Board Approval of Proposal for Projects and Assessment Vote Town Hall Meeting Ballot packet mailed to voting members Resignations received in office to not be liable for assessment Ballots returned to Club for tally Board Meeting - determination on assessment Members notified of Board’s determination on assessment