County Spends $3M On Newark Golf Course

NEWARK, NJ — How much is golf worth to the city of Newark?

On Monday, Essex County officials announced the completion of a $3.1 million improvement project that, among other renovations, “modernized” the entrance and parking lot at Essex County Weequahic Golf Course in Newark.

The multi-million project also upgraded the “First Tee” facilities at the Newark golf course, a youth development program that teaches children ages 7 to 17 “positive values through the game of golf,” according to the county website.

The improvements were fueled by funds from a NJ Department of Community Affairs grant and from the Essex County capital budget, according to a county news release.

GOLF COURSE IMPROVEMENTS

Here’s what that $3.1 million purchased at Weequahic Golf Course, county officials said:

“The first part of the project included modernizing the parking lot area, putting green and The First Tee practice facility. The circular parking area with the practice putting green located on the center island was reconfigured so golfers do not have to cross the parking lot to reach the green. In the new configuration, the putting green, practice driving area and a new open air pavilion were constructed next to the clubhouse and a new formal entrance to The First Tee practice course was created. The open-air pavilion was outfitted with an artificial grass surface so it can be used as a covered, outdoor putting area as well as for special events.”

As for the golf course’s parking lot:

“The parking lot was expanded by combining it with an adjacent parking lot off of Thomas Carmichael Drive and an iron archway was erected over the driveway to make the entrance more inviting. The layout of The First Tee facility was rotated so young golfers will be driving golf balls in a northerly direction instead of southerly. This change will place most of the golfing action in the shade from existing trees. Tee boxes and greens were rebuilt and regraded to provide better play. In addition, dead or decaying trees and invasive plant species were removed.”

There were also improvements to the field house at the course, officials said:

“The second part of the project included renovating the field house. The interior cafeteria area was remodeled into additional classroom space for The First Tee for after school and enrichment programs. In addition, the back wall of the field house that overlooks the 10th and 11th holes was replaced with a removable wall so the building could be opened and the fairways used as a driving range during inclement or cold weather.”

According to county officials, the improvements were designed by The First Tee at no cost to Essex County. The Landtek Group from Amityville, N.Y., was awarded a publicly bid contract for $2,244,601 to perform the exterior work in the parking lot, putting green, driving range, open air pavilion and The First Tee facility. Fine Wall Corporation from Iselin was awarded a publicly bid contract for $834,000 to make the renovations to the field house.

Work started on Nov. 1 and was completed in seven months, officials said.

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Photo: Essex County