Lynnfield preps for opening of new golf course in 2 years

LYNNFIELD-Former superintendent of the Colonial Golf Course, Mike Johnson, was recently rehired by Lynnfield Selectmen to overlook the land acquired by the Town for their new 9-hole course.Town Administrator Bill Gustus recommended Johnson for the job, and said that so far, he?s been very pleased with his work.?He?s already been real helpful in assuring everything was secured after the closedown of the last golf season,” said Gustus. “It was a logical choice. He?s a solid citizen, a very good superintendent, and he knows the course.”Johnson will be responsible for maintaining all golf equipment, as well the greens between now and the opening of the course in 2010.?We?re obligated to maintain it, even though we won?t be using it for the next two seasons,” said Gustus. “If you let the greens get overgrown, it?s difficult to get them back.”The Colonial Golf Course was a sort of gift acquired by the Town from National Development of Newton, who originally bought the land from the Sheraton Hotel over a year ago with plans of constructing what they call a traditional neighborhood center.The development would consist of 400,000 square feet in high-end retail shops and restaurants. It will also feature 180 apartment units and 40 housing units for seniors, satisfying Lynnfield?s 10 percent affordable housing requirement.?It will be the biggest development in Lynnfield,” said Gustus. “There will even be an office component on the second floor of the retail building.”Gustus said that the design would not replicate a mall, but rather an open area with lots of greens, wide sidewalks, and streetlights.?It?ll be a place to live, to work, or play,” said Gustus.In terms of what such a large development will mean in tax revenues for the Town, Gustus estimates a whopping $1.75 million each year, part of which will be paid to the Town far before it opens.?It?ll be a huge boost to our revenue stream,” said Gustus.Construction won?t begin until all permits are signed and delivered, but if all runs according to plan, the shovel should hit the ground in the late spring or early summer, said Gustus. And with a projected 18-month construction period, conversion of the Colonial Golf Course won?t begin until summer of 2009.Gustus said that since the first eight holes are already in place, all that remains is recreating the ninth hole and reworking the irrigation system. The town will also build a new club house and maintenance area.Gustus said he hopes to have the project underway by the end of the summer in 2009, but that it most likely won?t open for business until the spring of 2010.?It?ll provide us with an ongoing revenue system when we move forward there,” said Gustus. “There will be no debt with acquiring the course since it was just deeded over?It?ll be a good revenue source for the Town.”