UTICA, N.Y. — The Bertolini Clubhouse at Valley View Golf Course will get a long-awaited facelift using federal funds, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri announced Tuesday.
The more than $2 million project will renovate the existing clubhouse and construct a 6,000-square-foot addition, including a new entrance and patio area. New amenities like a new grill room and space for golf simulators are planned, along with new windows and roofing on the existing structure.
The clubhouse improvements will be primarily covered using $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds that are part of the Utica Prosperity Initiative.
“This is just another level of the city continuing making an investment into the quality of life of our assets that we currently have but unfortunately have been neglected,” Palmieri said.
The investment comes amid an uptick in interest in the Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course. City officials reported pre-pandemic revenue of roughly $270,900; the course has already generated $470,000 in revenue this year, with a goal of $500,000 by season’s end.
“We’re putting the money where people are going to be able to use it, understand it and come back and enjoy all of our great, great assets we have,” Palmieri said.
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Bids for construction on the project will be available on Sept. 13 and due on Oct. 6, a release from the city said. Bids are scheduled to be awarded on Oct. 13.
A request for proposals will also be issued in the coming weeks to determine who will operate the clubhouse amenities.
The golf course clubhouse is yet another piece of the Memorial Parkway corridor, Palmieri emphasized, which also includes the under-construction Utica Children’s Museum, Utica Zoo, New York Power Authority Energy Zone and upcoming features in the city’s parks like a dog park and splash pad.
Steve Howe is the city reporter for the Utica Observer-Dispatch, part of the USA Today Network. Email him at showe@gannett.com.
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