12 The Great Neck News, Friday, June 3, 2016
GN
Main Branch parking lot to get more work B y J oe N ikic
The Great Neck Library Board of Trustees unanimously approved a construction order Tuesday to repave the Main Branch’s parking lot after construction workers found that the material underneath the pavement was not sufficient. Dominic Calgi, president of Calgi Construction, which is managing the project’s construction, said when VRD Contracting, which is completing construction at the Main Branch, went to install new concrete curbs in the parking lot, workers found that there was barely two inches of material underneath the top pavement. “If they milled it, you wouldn’t have had anything there and it probably would not have lasted a couple of years given the sub-base,” Calgi said.
He also said that the material looked like old charcoal or black asphalt rather than a solid stone foundation. The cost of the repair is $127,120.36, which library officials said would be charged to the Main Branch and Special Services fund in its approved budget. Library Board President Marietta DiCamillo said the library’s Building Advisory Committee had a lengthy discussion on whether the repairs were necessary given the high price. “But after weighing the good against the bad, we decided that it should be a recommendation,” DiCamillo said. Calgi said if the parking lot work gets completed now, it should last 25 to 30 years. Also at the meeting, the board approved a proposal for a new security system at the library’s Main Branch
from A+ Technology and Solutions. Library Director Kathy Giotsas said she sent a request for proposal to about six surveillance companies, but A+ Technology was the only one to meet the library’s required specifications. “I did meet with them, they seemed very competent to do a very good job,” Giotsas said. She also said that A+ Technology installed the security systems at the Great Neck School District, which made her feel more comfortable accepting their proposal. “I called up for references and they got a glowing review from [Assistant Superintendent of Business] John Powell,” she said. DiCamillo said the cost for security services was not to exceed $45,000, which would be funded by the library’s Main Branch and Special Services fund.
Golf center completes $3M renovation plan B y J oe N ikic The vice president of the newly renovated Alley Pond Golf Center in Douglaston said he wanted the facility to provide golfers with more than just a place to practice their swing. “The company’s goal is to provide a complete golf experience for our neighbors in Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, as well as Nassau County,” Vice President of the Alley Pond Golf Center Andy Suh said. “I hope and want our facility
to be a valuable place that everybody loves to come and stay.” To do this, Suh said, the facility underwent a $3 million renovation that expanded its clubhouse, added 40 rooftop, temperaturecontrolled driving stations, renovated its miniature golf course and added an indoor golf simulator. He said the clubhouse tripled in size to about 7,000 square feet and now features a sports bar and grill. The bar now includes a patio and deck, two dozen televisions,
EXIT REALTY UNIVERSAL
Buying a house? We will help you!
With an EXIT real estate pro on your side you'll know about new houses faster! Call us about working with your own dedicated agent.
(516) 487-5432 www.ExitRealtyUniversal.com 10 Bond St., Great Neck Each EXIT office is independently owned and operated. Equal opportunity employer.
over 40 types of craft beers, wines and spirits and has a four-star chef offering different types of cuisines, Suh said. “The decoration is very elegant and sophisticated,” he said. “Customers have a place they can sit down and enjoy our clubhouse.” Suh said the golf center now has 72 driving stations, which is the most of any golf facility in the area. The facility’s 18-hole miniature golf course underwent aesthetic renovations that in-
cluded the planting of more trees and flowers around the course, he said. Suh said the new golf simulator was one of the more interesting additions to the facility. The simulator, he said, gives golfers the opportunity to play at some of the Professional Golfers’ Association’s most popular courses including Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Firestone Country Club and Doral’s Blue Monster. Suh said the purpose of the renovations and additions to the
facility was to attract everyone from serious golfers to beginners and people of all ages. He also said the golf center offers a summer golf camp, as well as clinics and private lessons with PGA-certified professionals. Alley Pond Golf Center is located at 232-01 Northern Boulevard in Douglaston and operates from 6 a.m. to midnight daily. It is owned and operated by Alley Pond Driving Range Inc., which has operated the golf center since 2009.