Five Ponds Golf Course Clubhouse Contract Approved

WARMINSTER, PA —Upgrades to the township-owned Five Ponds Golf Course are in full swing after the Board of Supervisors approved a contract for the design of the clubhouse at its recent meeting.

Kimmel Bogrette Architects of Blue Bell presented clubhouse design plans for the golf course at the Jan. 16 meeting. Supervisors then unanimously approved a $39,500 contract for master concept planning

They talked about meeting with some supervisors over the past few months.

Before its presentation, the firm showcased its recent work at the Doylestown Country Club which was completed about four months ago.

The firm has provided architectural upgrades at country clubs, administration buildings, and community clubs among other municipal projects throughout the Philadelphia region. The firm dubs itself as "transformation specialists."

The firm looks at the mission of the project, the core values of the township, a building evaluation, programming, design solutions, and costs.

Firm representatives said that Five Ponds' dining and banquet facilities were constrained like the Doylestown Country Club.

"Five Ponds right now is getting awards. We have a sensational golf course that has been ranked extremely high across the country," Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes said. "One of the things we can't do is have a wedding in that place. This is exciting stuff for us."

Hayes hoped for a 200-person wedding and a 150-person golf event.

He stated that township officials want a clubhouse that mirrors those achievements and recognition.

A two-story addition was discussed with an office and bathroom addition and a horseshoe-shaped bar with a covered patio. But the firm said they had some ideas that might be more economical.

In the initial concept, the firm decided that it should be a one-story addition to eliminate an elevator, and stairs and pull the bar outside the ballroom, making it a casual, standalone place where there would be views of the course.

"This is a long time coming," Hayes said. "If we would have a better concept originally, we could have done this a lot cheaper 30 years ago."

In other township supervisors' business:

• Finance Director John Ramey reported to the board that the township has $1.3 million in the general fund through November 2024, with revenues of 101 percent of the municipal budget and expenses at 93 percent.
• Township Manager Tom Scott said a new boiler is on the way for the administrative side of the municipal building.
• Township Engineer Craig Kennard said two small projects should be ready for review at the February Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 13. They include a waiver for Land Development and a proposal from Christ Home to reduce units while improving the layout for better stormwater management.
• Kennard added some upcoming golf course improvements, including bridge repairs, pond dredging, and the importance of focusing on clubhouse development to ensure proper emergency access.