Westwood Clubhouse site design grading approved by council

Following city council action on May 6, it seems as though the Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse is moving forward slowly and steadily. The bids for the site design grading even came in about $100,000 underestimate and was awarded to local contractor Sully Construction, Inc. for $68,036.42. It was a welcomed sight.

The engineer’s cost estimate for the project was $168,705. Council member Stacy Simbro said he spoke with engineer staff about the low bid from Sully Construction, who felt it was still a quality bid. Simbro at first thought it to be a red flag, but engineer staff explained it was feasible.

Newton Mayor Evelyn George said, “It’s great to have a low bid.”

Most of the bids were underestimate. Lanphier Excavating LLC bid $100,075.70; Con-Struct, Inc. bid $115,540; TK Concrete, Inc. bid $135,580; and Concrete Professionals bid $151,430.20. Edge Commercial submitted the only bid that was over the engineer’s estimate at $198,000.

According to city council documents, the project’s cost will be paid using funds acquired from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Plans for a new clubhouse have been in the works for several years. Many of the designs were deemed too expensive. By the time council found a design they liked and determined it to be financially feasible, the bids came in too high and were swiftly rejected in September 2023. The city then took a phased approach.

In December 2023, the city council approved the demolition of the existing clubhouse. The work has since been completed, which now makes room for grading and new underground utilities to be installed. Bolton & Menk prepared the plans and specifications for the proposed project.