March 29, 2024

Concept plans completed for Westwood clubhouse

Design yet to be approved by council, further direction needed

Concept plans for the Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse showcasing a 168-seat banquet hall and a 51-seat lounge were presented to the Newton Park Board during its Wednesday meeting. The new building aligns with the city council’s 2018-2020 goal to “prepare a new, scaled-back plan” of the clubhouse.

Community services manager Brian Laube told the three board members in attendance — Levi Michener, Adam Vandall and chair Melanie Humphrey — that city staff is at the end of its concept plan process now that images and an illustration have been acquired by Ethos Design Group.

The Polk City-based architectural and interior design firm had originally proposed a $3 million clubhouse plan in 2016, which the city officials deemed too expensive.

Park board members were shown two images created and submitted by Ethos Design Group: an exterior mockup and an interior layout which includes a banquet hall, serving room, lounge, shop, kitchen, office for the golf pro, three restrooms and underground storage space.

As stated in the official 2018-2020 City Council Goals list, the city was seeking a downsized floor plan, basic concept drawings and a cost estimate for the replacement of the Westwood clubhouse. However, the goal clearly withholds any further action, such as actual construction drawings or bid documents.

“These were kind of shared with the public at our Newton Cares Classic golf tournament earlier this year,” Laube said. “This is just staff’s idea. It’s not set in stone. With this we’re going to be getting a cost estimate honed and that will kind of tie in to the upcoming council goal setting and budget session.”

Laube did not have any cost estimates to share at the time of the meeting.

The Newton City Council will meet with city staff for its annual goal setting session Sept. 23 at City Hall. Depending on the cost estimate and design staff submitted, council members will decide if they want to pursue further action to update or replace the aging clubhouse.

However, if the Newton City Council decided the clubhouse was to be funded and move forward with construction, Laube said the final design could be subject to change. Basically, Ethos Design Group took what was done three years ago and then updated it to staff’s needs.

Both images have been regularly displayed at Westwood Golf Course. Laube said the overall reactions from golfers have been positive thus far.

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