CRESTVIEW, Fla. — Around mid-February, city officials plan to have a soft opening for major features of the city-owned, 18-hole Blackwater Golf Club, including its virtual and interactive Toptracer Range, its front nine holes and a Tiki bar called The Drive Bar.
“We’re aiming to have a grand opening (for the entire golf course property) on St. Patrick’s Day” on March 17, City Manager Tim Bolduc said Tuesday.
Previously: Crestview’s revived golf course will have high-tech, interactive Toptracer Range by Topgolf
The grand opening is expected to include the opening of the new full-service restaurant, called The Crossing, in the renovated clubhouse.
The city bought the 129-acre former Foxwood Golf Course and its clubhouse and amenities in August 2020.
Bolduc told the City Council on Monday that because of COVID-19 pandemic-caused delays in receiving building materials and new golf carts, the soft opening is expected to take place around mid-February instead of early January.
A sign at the entrance to The Blackwater Golf Club shows the layout of the course, which is expected to open in early 2022. MICHAEL SNYDER/DAILY NEWS.
Crestview officials have used $2.5 million in city reserve funds to renovate and improve the golf club property.
“As we approach the completion of this project, we need to refund our reserves,” Bolduc told council members.
To replenish the reserves, the council unanimously approved borrowing $2,575,000 from Sterling National Bank of Concord, North Carolina. The total includes $75,000 to pay the cost of issuance.
A yardage marker is seen near the first green at the Blackwater Golf Club. The course is expected to open in early 2022. MICHAEL SNYDER/DAILY NEWS.
With a 3.07 percent interest rate, the interest paid over the 20.5-year life of the loan is estimated to total almost $942,000. City officials plan to use golf club revenue to pay off the total debt in 2042.
By using city money upfront for the various upgrades, Crestview was able to shave about six to eight months off of the project timeline and save money in the long run by avoiding rising construction material costs, according to Bolduc.
Later during Monday’s council meeting, the board agreed to provide about $300,000 in city funding for new golf cart paths at the course. That funding later will be reimbursed with golf club revenue.
The interactive Toptracer Range is being installed at Crestview’s new Blackwater Golf Club, formerly the Foxwood Golf Course. MICHAEL SNYDER/DAILY NEWS.
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