Tilgate Forest Golf Centre been awarded planning permission for a new clubhouse at its site in Tilgate, Crawley. A suspicious fire destroyed the golf course’s previous clubhouse in May 2011; however the site has remained open with golfers making do with temporary café and course faculties provided from portacabins since the fire.
The shop and driving range were unaffected by the fire and have remained open for business. Following planning approval detailed design work has commenced and construction is anticipated to commence in Spring 2012.
Now that planning permission has been granted Glendale Community Golf whom operate the golf course hope to commence work on site in April 2012, and anticipate to completing the project in December 2012.
Glendale Community Golf’s aim is to provide a facility, which improves access for the local community to the golf, encouraging seniors, disabled groups, and juniors into the sport. The centre is a pay and play community facility, operated by Glendale Golf under a lease agreement with Crawley Borough Council.
Main features of the new clubhouse will include state of the art facilities for golf users and nearby park visitors including; Café, Shop, Function Room and link to the existing driving range. The new building will be more environmentally friendly than its predecessor, utilising a grounds source heat pump and a number of other energy efficient technologies within the building itself. The chosen single storey design gives easier access to the clubhouse, directly from the carpark and will be light and airy with floor to ceiling windows meaning Golfers utilising the Café will have views across the course which is known for its unparalleled views andSussexwoodland.
Colin Chilvers, Manager of Tilgate Forest Golf Centre commented “This is a really exciting time for us, the new clubhouse is going to be a fantastic facility for the whole community, with a purpose built function room and café we hope it will become a community hub, with access to golf for all.”
The 18 hole golf course and driving range, which has remained open despite difficult operating conditions, will remain open throughout the build phase of the project and expects little disruption to the course itself.
GlendaleGolf www.glendale-golf.com