Commission approves construction phase for Tarpon Springs golf‑course clubhouse with CMAR contractor

The Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners authorized staff to proceed to construction on a replacement clubhouse at the municipal golf course, moving forward with a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery and a guaranteed maximum price negotiated at the 90% design stage.

Public Services presenter Thomas Kiger said the base construction cost for the new clubhouse is about $5.1 million, with a guaranteed maximum price including allowances and contingencies of roughly $5.4 million. Kiger said the project will be funded by a ten‑year construction loan previously approved and by supplemental cash from the Golf Course Enterprise Fund (about $1.15 million). "This project will not take any money from the Penny fund or the general fund," Kiger said during the presentation.

Kiger described the facility as an "old Florida" design with a pro shop, wraparound porch, an expanded snack bar, a 1,400‑square‑foot rentable event space and room for increased parking. Staff showed multi‑year revenue and fund‑balance projections that, they said, support self‑funding the project even under conservative play scenarios.

Commissioners questioned potential impacts on rounds played during construction, contingency levels, and the projected debt service. Staff said they ran sensitivity analyses and that the golf enterprise has built reserves; the recommended contractor, Bandy's (selected via an RFQ), provided cost‑savings measures and subcontractor bids covering 90% of work value.

After discussion, the board voted to proceed to construction phase and issue the notice to proceed with the selected construction manager; a roll‑call vote recorded the motion as approved by the commissioners present.

What’s next: Staff will finalize contract documents and issue a notice to proceed, with construction expected to begin in July and a roughly 365‑day schedule that would target completion next summer.