“There will be no big machines, no big trucks used,” he said. “We try to make it as convenient as possible.”
Part of the nuisance of the construction work for golfers revolves around the lack of a central eating area, where many have congregated in the past, Scozzola said.
“The main inconvenience is the food area,” he said. “With the demolition, people can’t gather in groups for parties and things, but everyone has taken it very well. We have a temporary food service truck and a food and beverage cart that travels around the golf course. We’ve maintained somewhat normal operations.”
Normally, De Bell sees 65,000 to 70,000 rounds of golf a year. This year, there has been a slight drop due to the construction, Scozzola said.
“It’s still too early to tell, but if I were to look at the first few months of the fiscal year, we are slightly below,” he said.
But he hopes that will change when the $9.44 million worth of improvements are complete.
“The new clubhouse will attract people we haven’t gotten before in the past,” Scozzola said. “We plan on increasing the number of tournaments. It will be a really big draw for us.”
Any increase in golfers could represent a revenue increase for the city, which taxes some of De Bell’s profits, said Councilman Gary Bric, who sits on the clubhouse subcommittee.
“The city gets between 10% and 12% for food and beverage sales,” he said.
“When this is finished, the city will benefit, golfers will benefit, and everyone will gain from this.”
Burbank Chamber of Commerce President Gary Olson envisions a more popular golf course with a new clubhouse that could attract golfers from near and far.
“I think it’s a magnificent asset to have a municipal golf course,” Olson said.
