Brigantine Working On Plans For New Clubhouse At The Links

Brigantine  – The City of Brigantine is seeking Green Acres approval for the construction of a new clubhouse at the Brigantine Golf Links. 

This much needed project, overseen by Mayor Vince Sera and Deputy Mayor Karen Bew, will replace the current aging facility and provide enhanced amenities to better serve golfers and visitors.  

The estimated cost of construction for the new clubhouse is approximately $5 million, and will have little to no impact on local taxes.

The Brigantine Golf Links was originally purchased with partial funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres program. As such, any improvements or expansions to the site, including the clubhouse, require prior approval from Green Acres.

Assessment and Planning Process:

In 2022, the City engaged professional Architectural and Structural Engineering Services of SOSH Architects to evaluate the existing clubhouse. The resulting SOSH report identified several structural issues, particularly in the kitchen floor system, and recommended a series of upgrades, including:

• Structural repairs
• Bathroom facility upgrades
• Kitchen systems improvements
• HVAC system upgrades
• Window and roofing upgrades
• Siding replacement

Additionally, the report suggested relocating the Pro Shop to facilitate the expansion of the dining and bar areas.

The City then sought proposals for Professional Architectural Services to develop construction drawings and specifications for these improvements. In 2023, Settembrino Architects was awarded the contract to carry out this work. 

Decision to Construct a New Clubhouse:

During the design development, it was determined that the cost of the proposed renovations would exceed 50% of the building's value. This triggered a requirement for the building to be brought up to current code regulations, including floodproofing or raising the structure. However, raising the existing structure was deemed unfeasible.

"In looking at our options, we found that fixing and renovating the old clubhouse would actually cost more than building a new one," said Deputy Mayor Karen Bew. "A new clubhouse will not only fix current problems but also bring the facility up to modern standards and better serve our community for years to come."

In response, the City requested conceptual plans for a new clubhouse. Settembrino Architects proposed a two-story building totaling 12,420 square feet, designed to accommodate up to 200 people, based on current tournament sizes as determined by the City’s golf course management company. 

“The new clubhouse will have a footprint of about 6,500 square feet, similar to the existing structure, which will hopefully increase the likelihood of gaining Green Acres approval,” said Mayor Sera.

Benefits of the New Clubhouse:

The new clubhouse is expected to offer numerous benefits, including:

• Continued operation of the existing clubhouse during construction.
• A properly sized kitchen to accommodate on-site food service, replacing the current remote arrangement.
• Enhanced facilities for both men’s and women’s golf leagues.
• ADA-compliant restrooms.
• Locker rooms for golfers, a feature absent in the current clubhouse.
• Improved capacity to host tournaments, making Brigantine Golf Links more inline with other South Jersey golf courses.

“The construction of this new clubhouse is vital for maintaining operations at Brigantine Links,” said Mayor Vince Sera. “The old clubhouse has outlived its usefulness and is no longer functional. This project will not only preserve but also enhance one of our community's best recreational assets, ensuring its continued success for many years to come.”

The City is in the early planning stages of this project and will provide more information as it’s available.