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IU TAKES NEXT STEP TOWARD
NEW GOLF COURSE FACILITY
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.-- Indiana University announced today (Aug. 31) that it will enter into negotiations with Indiana Club LLC as it moves forward with plans for a new golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
"Of the requests for proposals (RFP's) submitted," said J. Terry Clapacs, vice president for administration, "IU determined that the plan presented by Indiana Club LLC best addressed our needs and requirements."
If negotiations -- expected to take a minimum of 90 days -- are successfully completed, the new facility would include a championship 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, practice facility, clubhouse, pool and tennis facility. Operations would be overseen by Arnold Palmer Golf Management.
"We are very excited to begin negotiations for this new venture," Clapacs said. "Since this will be a lengthy, confidential process, we will be unable to comment publicly about the project until the conclusion of negotiations."
Clapacs added that a consultant has been identified to conduct an environmental assessment, and that faculty and students have provided input. "It is vital that everyone is aware of environmental issues surrounding this project," he said. "Concerns would be addressed by the potential developer during negotiations and would be taken into account in the design and construction phases."
Clapacs will lead IU's negotiating team, which will also include Dorothy Frapwell, university counsel; Lynn Coyne, assistant vice president for administration-real estate and economic development; and Clarence Doninger, athletic director.
The new facility would be located adjacent to the existing IU course, northeast of the Bloomington campus, and would serve as the home course for the IU golf teams.
Q&A Regarding New Golf Facility
1) Why does IU want to build a new golf course?
IU owns approximately 250 acres of undeveloped land, adjacent to the existing golf course on the bypass, that is available for golf course and other use development. The university's long-term master plan calls for the eventual construction of a second golf course to aid the Athletic Department, to enhance recreational opportunities of IU faculty, staff and students and to increase economic development and tourism in Bloomington.
The university was recently approached by a private developer interested in building and operating a second course. The early discussion was promising enough that IU felt the prudent reaction would be to seek other similar proposals to determine if this is in the best interest of the university.
2) What are the goals in exploring the viability of finding a partner to build and operate a new golf course?
1) Enhancing the practice and playing opportunities for the men and women's Division I golf teams.
2) Expanding the recreational opportunities for all IU faculties, staff and students.
3) Increasing the economic development and tourism opportunities for Bloomington.
4) Finding a partner that will assume the financial risk of such an endeavor, and ensuring that IU incurs no major financial liability.
3) How would a new golf course benefit faculty, staff and students and all of Bloomington?
The current IU golf course is operating at maximum capacity, which limits the opportunities to play on that course. The addition of a second, top-level course would double the golfing opportunities, while also opening the possibility of further recreational opportunities, such as hiking and running trails. It would also give the IU varsity men and women's teams state-of-the-art practice and playing facilities.
If a championship caliber course were to be constructed, golfers from throughout central and southern Indiana would come to Bloomington to play, shop and dine. It is also possible that college conference and regional tournaments could be hosted at a championship course, further enhancing tourism and economic development.
Finally, we are interested in proposals that include amenities such as a conference center with meeting space. This would expand the usage and economic development opportunities.
4) How will such a development be funded?
IU is seeking partners to build and manage the facilities in such a manner that IU does not have to make a major financial investment. We own the land, which often is the most expensive part of such an endeavor. Our goal is to partner with a private developer who is responsible for the initial investment and all operations. IU would then share in the benefits of such a successful operation.
5) Are there specific environmental or traffic concerns in building a new golf course?
Any new course on IU property would be located adjacent to the existing course on the bypass. The bypass will soon be widened and expanded, and this expansion would easily accommodate any increased traffic flow.
The current IU course has a very good environmental record in all of its operations. We want to ensure there are no negative environmental consequences in building a golf course, so we have asked all developers to propose how they would address normal concerns of this nature.
Although it is premature to speculate how much of the IU land may be used in such a development, there are environmental concerns with the area formally used by the gun ranges. Any environmental cleanup of the former range sites will be performed whether the land is used as part of the new golf course or not.
6) Will there be other uses for the facility besides golf?
The course design will include a cross country course conforming to NCAA/Big Ten requirements, along with exploring further outdoor recreation opportunities on the existing land. The university is asking developers to suggest ways to meet both of these goals.
7) How will a developer be identified?
University officials issued a call for requests for proposal last May. Of the RFP's submitted, IU determined that Indiana Club LLC's plan best addressed the university's needs and requirements.
8) What is the next step?
IU officials will now enter into a minimum, 90-day confidential negotiation period with Indiana Club LLC.