Big Canoe Update Issue 1

Message from the President | Pg. 1

Clubhouse Renovation Update | Pg. 2

Choctaw 9 Progress | Pg. 8

Viewpoints from the POA Board of Directors ISSUE 1 • April 2024

2024 Big Canoe POA Board of Directors

Terry Stewart president

Tim Moran vice president

Mark Green secretary

Sandy Pullara treasurer

Elton Gogolin director at large

Craig Price director at large

Mike Zeigler developer director

A horseshoe shaped bar is the centerpiece of the proposed Mountains View Bar in a renovated Clubhouse on Lake Sconti. For more details, please refer to the Clubhouse Renovation Update on page 2. IN

Message From the President

Dear Big Canoe Property Owners:

Welcome to the first issue of Board Update!

A very important stated goal for this year’s POA Board is to be more communicative with our neighbors. With that in mind, we wanted to create a vehicle that would allow us to reach all Property Owners on key issues in a clear and concise format. Thus, the idea of Board Update was born.

The content of any issue of Board Update will always be the facts as we know them, unless clearly stated that it is an opinion. It will be communications and viewpoints directly from your POA Board.

The Board’s perspective on key issues and “hot topics” is often only seen or heard by those that attend the public board meetings or watch them online, or on various social media platforms. We hope that Board Update will allow us the opportunity to communicate our point of view more efficiently, and to reach many more Property Owners.

This first issue of Board Update is based on the Renew Big Canoe set of initiatives. It is set to be released on the same day as the Reveal Event of the new Clubhouse Renderings, and will enable all of our residents, not just those in attendance, a chance to see the drawings up close and in a timely manner.

Board Update will be issued from time to time when your Board has key information to share with the community. And, as always, we welcome your feedback and comments.

We thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Terry Stewart president

Clubhouse Renovation Update

Here are the latest renderings from KDC Architects, as presented on April 20, 2024 to the Big Canoe community.

QUICK FACTS

April 20, 2024 community presentation

June 2024

general contractor ’ s presentations to poa board

Note:

These drawings are architecturally correct, as they were created using the construction plans. However, as with any concepts done before actual work begins, they do not 100% accurately represent things such as furniture choices, paint color matches, floor treatments and similar specific interior design details.

September 2024 proposed start date

Above: A closer look at the proposed Mountains View Bar in the renovated Big Canoe Clubhouse on Lake Sconti. Note the horseshoe Bar design that will promote friendly conversation and reinforce a sense of community amongst the patrons.

Left: The proposed Mountains View Bar as viewed from newly renovated Lobby inside the main entrance of the Clubhouse.

canoe poa

Clubhouse Renovation Update continued

Above: Exterior view of the Clubhouse featuring the proposed Covered Terrace addition that will add more outdoor seating and is designed to promote a better connection to the Big Canoe golf amenity.

Right: View of the proposed, renovated Sconti Room looking out to Lake Sconti to the left, and towards the Mountains View Bar on the right.

Above: A feel for dining on the Covered Terrace.

Clubhouse Renovation Update continued

Above: The proposed renovated Veranda would host larger meetings, Property Owner events, performing arts, music and galas in an enclosed four-season space.

Right: A closer view of the proposed expansion of the Veranda.

FAQs

Please feel free to go back and look over the entire RenewBigCanoe.org website to see where we came from, and where we are currently, as of April, 2024 on the journey that is Renew Big Canoe!

1. What is the current status of the Clubhouse project?

A: Our architects and engineers are working diligently to produce the final designs and schematics that will allow us to get formal bids from at least three general contracting firms to win the final project. This follows the procedure for selecting vendors stated in Big Canoe Policies and Procedures #152. We hope to have the bid package ready to go by mid-May.

2. When would actual construction on the Clubhouse start?

A: Currently, the plan calls for a September start date. Several factors could change that, but that is the most recent projection.

3. Why wait until the fall to start?

A: Summer season is the busiest at the Clubhouse and generates the most revenue. Starting after the busy season is over creates the least impact on our Property Owners and their guests, Clubhouse staff, and Club financials.

4. Any idea how long the Clubhouse project might take?

A: The architects estimate approx. 8 - 10 months if we completely close the Clubhouse dining operations during build-out, and 12 -14 months if we try to continue providing dining service in some fashion during the project. These are “best estimates” at this point; the actual time frame could be a bit shorter or longer depending on the many variables.

The following are frequently asked Questions and Answers concerning the Clubhouse Renovation Project.

5. Will the Clubhouse remain open to serve during the construction as was indicated?

A: At this time, no decision has yet been made regarding closing the clubhouse during the renovation. This decision will be made later this summer after careful consideration and with firm quotes in hand from at least three general contractors. We will ask all GCs to look at the project two ways: close the clubhouse and finish as quickly and inexpensively as possible, and secondly run the project in phases which will add time and cost, but have other advantages for our Property Owners and Staff.

In any case, alternative spaces are being vetted for food service and events during any closure that may occur.

6. What are the plans for the existing Veranda and patio?

A. The current plan calls for our existing Veranda to be enclosed and expanded to become a Community Event room. This new space can hold town-hall type programs, large meetings, musical events, performing arts, Property Owner family weddings, galas and more. Creating a four-season community room will greatly expand the use of that side of the facility.

Questions or comments?

Your feedback is valuable and desired!

Making Progress!

This is an aerial look at the Choctaw Rejuvenation, which is in progress. Construction was decided to start on the back side of the course, not disturbing the holes nearer to the Clubhouse until after the Member-Guest Golf Tournament and our Junior Camps.

Choctaw 9 Golf Course

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Rejuvenation Update –

The Choctaw Rejuvenation project, a primary component of the Renew Big Canoe set of initiatives, is well underway. Designated as much needed maintenance project on a valuable POA asset, the goal is to provide better, more efficient drainage and modern, improved irrigation. All the golf putting surfaces (greens) were at the end of their useful life, as was the underlying infrastructure.

The course closed on March 1, 2024 and the construction team has been rapidly working, as seen in the photos accompanying this report.

QUICK FACTS

Golf Course Architect bergin golf designs

Primarily a drainage and irrigation project

Course Closed march 2024

Course Reopening spring 2025

Photos by Mark Green and Lydell Mack

Crews installing drainage and irrigation components on Choctaw hole #6.

Choctaw 9 Rejuvenation Update continued

Above: The corrugated metal pipe under the Choctaw course dates back over 40 years and was prone to leaks that affected the health of the golf course and incurred frequent, costly maintenance.

Right: Hole #7 green complex under construction.

FAQs

1. Why is the Choctaw rejuvenation necessary?

A: As metal pipe under golf fairways ages, it begins to corrode, which leads to soil erosion and often to pipe collapse. Also, over time the 4” drain pipe beneath greens and bunkers becomes clogged with silt, necessitating their replacement. Drainage is essential to growing fine turf by providing healthy growing conditions for plant roots, as well as a better playing surface.

Likewise, an irrigation system has a life expectancy at which point the pumps wear out, the pipes leak, and valves and sprinkler heads malfunction. We are at that point on the Choctaw course.

In addition, technology has changed to introduce more sophisticated control, allowing the superintendent to conserve water and electricity, while expanding coverage and improving playability.

2. When do we start? And how long will it take?

A: The course closed on March 1, 2024. Even before that, work was already being done by our in-house crews doing tree clearing and bunker work. The intended date to reopen is early April 2025. This is a similar timeline to the Creek course rejuvenation from 2021-22.

3. Which part of the course is scheduled to be worked on first?

A: Work has begun on holes 5,6,7 and 8 as they are farthest away from the clubhouse area.

4. Is an improved driving range included in the Choctaw project?

A: No. A driving range enhancement is not a part of the Choctaw rejuvenation plan.

The following are frequently asked Questions and Answers concerning Choctaw Golf Course Rejuvenation.

5. Is it true that our practice putting green is going to be replaced as part of the process?

A: The irrigation and drainage pipes (infrastructure) under our current practice putting green are at end of life. Thus, that green is scheduled to be replaced as part of the Choctaw rejuvenation.

6. Is an improved short game practice area included in the Choctaw project?

A: As of this publication date, a new, short game practice area is not included in the Choctaw rejuvenation plan. It has been designed, but implementation is contingent upon budget considerations. While there is a good business case to do it concurrently with the Choctaw project, further study is needed to make a final decision.

Postal Facility Update

FAQs

1. What is the current status of the Postal Facility Project that was approved last year by a Property Owner Vote?

A: Your POA Board feels that modernizing the Postal Facility and preparing for growth is still very important. Virtually everyone in our community uses this amenity, and it was a significant Yes vote from last year.

As the original site in the Village Core adjoining the current Package Porch has now been deemed unsuitable, four parcels within Big Canoe were identified as possible locations for a new, standalone facility. After initial engineering studies of each, a tract of POA owned property located near the North Gate has been identified as the most cost-effective area for construction of a proposed new Postal facility.

The building would house both the Postal Facility and Package Porch operations and have plentiful, flat parking with excellent ingress and egress.

2. What kind of building and what about the cost?

A: Our architects have proposed utilizing a prefabricated metal building core as a solution, a similar approach that was used for the Fire Station several years ago. As the Postal/Package pickup amenity is utilitarian in nature, this type of facility allows a very easily customizable floor plan, and promises to be safe, efficient, and very user friendly.

Detailed plans are currently being executed to determine pricing, but we are hopeful that it will be an affordable approach. As per Policy and Procedure 152, bids from 3 General Contractors will be obtained to determine cost.

3. Architecturally, will the building look like it belongs in Big Canoe?

A: The solution put forth by our architects would have an attractive façade that would be very welcoming and designed with the Character of Big Canoe in mind.

4. What would be the timeline for this project be?

A: If it is decided to proceed, the plan would be to utilize the same contracting firm that is chosen for the Clubhouse Renovation, as savings would be achieved by doing those projects in a cohesive manner. As the Clubhouse plans are much farther along, that project would start first, and the proposed new Postal / Package facility would follow while the equipment and manpower is still on site.

5. What would happen to the existing Postal Facility and Package Porch locations?

A: Those buildings would be returned to the POA’s inventory of facilities for future use.

6. Would another property owner vote be required for approval of this project?

A: Depending on the cost estimate, another property owner vote would likely not be required, as the strong Yes vote last year indicated broad Property Owner support for an improved facility.

Other Projects

Admin Building

1. What is the status of a new Administration space constructed at the existing Chimneys site?

A: This project is currently on hold until the Postal Facility issue is more clearly resolved. As this was not a priority item on the list of projects, it is being paused.

The administrative functions previously performed at The Chimneys will need to be addressed, and we are currently considering several short-term alternatives.

2. If a new Administration space project resumes, would it still be at the site of The Chimneys?

A: Similar to the Package Porch location, more thorough engineering studies have shown that the Chimneys building will likely be too costly to renovate. The presence of asbestos, exposed after the 2022 damage in the 50-year-old structure, has created remediation issues that are very expensive, among other challenges.

Lodge Renovation

If the Administration building cannot proceed in the near future, the Lodge will remain unchanged until we redefine the project scope.

Want to dig deeper?

Checkout our website: renewbigcanoe.org

Questions or comments?

Your feedback is valuable and desired!

Viewpoints from the POA Board of Directors

ISSUE 1 • April 2024

Questions or comments?

Your feedback is valuable and desired!

Architect supplied animation - a walkthrough of the new Mountains View Bar to the renovated Sconti room. See all of the Clubhouse Renderings starting on Page 2.