Initial $2.89M bid rejected by council
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF PASCACK PRESS
RIVER VALE, N.J.—The Town Council March 25 rejected the lone $2.89 million bid to build an 18-hole mini golf course at the municipally owned River Vale Country Club.
Council members hope to get a more favorable cost in a new round of public bidding.
Township Clerk Karen Campanelli said the only bid received for the proposed mini golf course, which includes waterfalls and a nine-hole handicapped accessible portion, was $2,897,676 from Applied Landscape Technologies, Montville.
However, though clearly above what officials were anticipating, much local support remains for a mini golf course as a future revenue generator near the township-owned golf course.
The miniature course would be the second such publicly owned facility in Bergen County. The other public mini course is in Paramus.
Over the last few months, Township Engineer Christopher Statile has updated the council on project plans, drawings and bid specifications.
‘Cherry Brook Mini Golf’
The 18-hole mini golf course, tentatively named River Vale Country Club Cherry Brook Mini Golf, will include nine holes that comply with accessibility requirements under the Americans With Disabilities Act, or ADA, said Statile.
There will be signage indicating the barrier-free holes, he said.
The proposed golf course includes a 20-foot wide by 20- foot high clubhouse where clubs, balls, and score sheets will be available and golfers will pay course fees. The structure will include a pump room for the two water features and a restroom.
In addition, the course includes a couple small waterfalls, a small pond, a couple pre-fabricated shelters, a four-foot-wide pedestrian bridge, benches and a practice green.
The first nine holes will feature a barrier-free compliant surface and the second nine holes will be carpeted. The first nine holes are ADA-compliant, said Township Administrator Gennaro Rotella, to allow individuals with special needs to enjoy the golf facility.
“The project consists of the complete construction, furnishing materials, installing and start-up operations for a new 18 hole miniature golf course with a 400 square foot administration building,” reads the request for proposals published in late February.
‘A great use of space’
Council President Mark Bromberg told Pascack Press that the planned mini-golf course was “a great use of this space for town residents” and would likely be a township profit center, after the course construction is paid off.
He said council members have been planning for a mini golf course for at least a year and hopes it will become a “destination spot” for residents to visit regularly.
“It’s not like people were clamoring for this to happen…but this will increase the use of this space for residents,” noted Bromberg, who conceded he was not a golfer.
He said he planned to use the mini course and that the planned course would be a boon to area families, youngsters, specially abled adults, and seniors once it opens.
The township purchased River Vale Country Club in 2010, preserving the 18-hole semi-private country club course at 660 Rivervale Avenue.
The club features a restaurant and snack bar and is managed for the township by a consultant, Long Ball Golf Management, LLC, of Wood-Ridge.
No taxpayer funds
Rotella said no taxpayer dollars would fund the proposed mini course; instead funds generated by River Vale Country Club and a $50,000 county Open Space grant would be used.
He said it was not yet possible to estimate revenues from a mini golf course, but noted the course is expected to pay for itself through future profits.
The mini golf project will feature a concession stand, Rotella added.
Rotella said he hoped the course could be completed by fall 2019.
“We’ve got to get this done this year because the ground has already been worked on,” he said.
Rotella said the management company, Long Ball, suggested constructing a mini golf course on the town property a few years ago to increase revenues.
“It will generate a profit; I’m not comfortable giving numbers yet,” said Rotella, asked about future revenue estimates.