CPRD Begins Review of Chehalem Glenn Clubhouse Options

NEWBERG, Ore. — A long process took its first step Monday night as consultants presented initial findings for a potential future clubhouse at Newberg’s public Chehalem Glenn Golf Course.

The Chehalem Parks and Recreation District Golf Course Clubhouse Citizens’ Advisory Committee met to review early results and three possible pathways outlined in a clubhouse feasibility study. The study includes conceptual designs and an economic analysis to determine whether a new clubhouse is viable and, if so, which designs could be successful, according to CPRD.

On Sept. 25, CPRD’s board of directors approved $160,000 to hire Portland-based architecture firm Ankrom Moisan and YA Group Consulting to conduct the feasibility study. The study intends to ensure the district considers economic, environmental, design, and social factors before committing funds to the project.

The draft report presented Monday focused largely on economic viability and design concepts.

YA Group senior project manager Michael Bonn outlined the project’s timeline, noting that the predesign phase was completed in December and that the committee is now at the midpoint of the concept design stage.

The existing clubhouse at Chehalem Glenn Golf Course was frequently described as a “double-wide” during the meeting, referencing its manufactured home-style construction. Replacing the clubhouse has long been a goal of the district, first mentioned during a board of directors meeting in 2012.

“For the new clubhouse, the goal is to make it look nothing like a triple-wide,” Bonn said. “But that’s the next phase. Now that we’re starting to nail down what the floor plan is, we can start to go a little bit vertical with it.”

While the current clubhouse is located on the north side of East Fernwood Road, the proposed clubhouse would be built near the parking lot on the south side of the road. That location would allow for different configurations designed to maximize space and take advantage of landscape views intended to create memorable guest experiences.

Bonn introduced three incremental design options: a base model with essentials such as a pro shop and grab-and-go concessions; a mid-level option featuring a full kitchen, bar, and expanded event pavilion; and a full-featured design with additional amenities, including a conditioned event space and an indoor hitting bay. Bonn said that with the full-featured design, the cost starts to outweigh the immediate benefit.

Much of the discussion focused on how the golf course could function as a broader community amenity. Proposed plans also included improvements to features such as the driving range, putting green, and food and beverage offerings, which could attract more visitors and potentially introduce them to the game.

“The goal here is being able to have a golf course that’s so inviting that it converts people in your town into golfers,” said CPRD Superintendent Clay Downing. “You want to make a place that people just want to be, regardless of whether they’re playing golf, and then eventually lures them into trying it.”

Newberg resident Roger Jordan, who lives on the golf course, said he believes the golf course is a draw for both new residents and tourists. He said investing in the course could encourage more people to play and potentially relocate to the area. He also noted that neighborhoods surrounding the course, including areas up Parrett Mountain, lack nearby gathering spaces, making anything less than the mid-level option insufficient.

“I would suggest that you look at least at the middle, if not the larger one,” Jordan said. “Just looking at it, building a clubhouse that doesn’t really have the amenities for socialization, I’m not sure that really gives us anything that’s better than the triple-wide.”

The mid-level and full options would include full restaurants operated by outside contractors, an unresolved issue given that the land is zoned for public use only.

The adopted 2025-26 CPRD budget lists a new Chehalem Glenn clubhouse and an additional nine-hole golf course as a combined $10 million project. According to CPRD’s 2017 system development charge methodology, the clubhouse was estimated at $2 million, and the third nine-hole course at $3 million. Those figures have since increased to $4 million and $6 million, respectively, due to inflation and other economic factors that have changed since 2017.

“At the end of the day, the taxpayer will have to pay for this with a revenue bond or a general obligation bond — I’m not sure which way this will go,” said CPRD Board President Jim McMaster. “As far as wanting it or having it or needing it, I think it would be great to have, but we’ve got to get a look at all those numbers.”

Revenue bonds are paid back using money earned from a specific project, such as golf fees, event rentals, or food and beverage sales, and typically do not affect property tax bills. General obligation bonds are paid back using taxpayer dollars, are backed by the district’s taxing authority and usually require voter approval, and can result in higher property taxes for residents over the life of the bond.

Passing a bond is not guaranteed, as a recent CPRD survey revealed that survey respondents did not feel overwhelmingly positive about Chehalem Glenn. Of the 14 active CPRD projects listed in the survey, the clubhouse ranked as the least important. The golf course overall was ranked as the third-least important park and recreation priority, only ahead of disc golf courses and the BMX track.

CPRD will host an open-house-style presentation on the draft findings from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, Jan. 16, at Chehalem Glenn Golf Course, 4501 E. Fernwood Road. CPRD staff and consultants will be available to provide information and answer questions.

Following the open house, consultants will incorporate feedback from the information sessions and complete the concept phase by the first week of February. Design development for the selected option will follow, with a final plan expected by the end of March.

Learn more at the CPRD website.