Although preliminary construction work has begun, the City of Carmel has decided to rebid work on the Brookshire Clubhouse at the golf course after reviewing the contract process with new outside counsel. Work will be temporarily delayed as a result.
The new clubhouse at Brookshire Golf Course will replace the current structure built in 1970, when the course opened. The approximately $10 million project — paid for through city bonds — will include a much larger clubhouse with expanded facilities for golf carts, a pro shop and gathering spots that will be made available to the community for private events such as weddings and parties.
City councilor Jeff Worrell said there’s no cause for concern that the work is being rebid. He said Michael Drewry of Drewry Simmons and Vornehm construction attorneys has suggested that bids be redone under a construction management law that changed July 1, 2017.
“We’re just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s,” he said.
The previous bidding was done through Shiel Sexton, which is the intended construction manager acting as agent for the City of Carmel. No taxpayer money has been spent.
Worrell said this doesn’t mean there was anything wrong with the winning bid but it’s important to be cautious considering the new law.
“While the project began before that time, it is not clear whether it would be grandfathered under the previous law, so we are proceeding with an abundance of caution and completing a new bid process through the city,” corporation counsel Douglas Haney said in a statement.
The original date for the grand opening was spring of 2019. It’s unknown if the delay will affect the date.
