Dakota Dunes breaks ground on new clubhouse

Watch the video above: After years of waiting a new Dakota Dunes clubhouse is on the way

SASKATOON – It can be the heart of a golf course and Dakota Dunes is about to get a beautiful one. Officials announced Tuesday that construction is underway on a new clubhouse worth millions.

“I’m very excited and so is all of my staff, the temporary clubhouse has done a good job but it’s time to go. We’ve fixed too many doors and windows and things like that that are slowly breaking down so we’re looking forward to a new clubhouse,” said McLaren Taylor, general manger of Dakota Dunes Golf Links.

A rendering of the clubhouse revealed during the announcement, highlights the 7,100 square foot, two-story facility at a cost of $3.3 million.

“I’m excited about having a meeting space and the location of the meeting space and the location of the meeting space located just under a deck in the staging area so that the tournaments that come out here will have a place to setup and get organized,” said Taylor.

A welcome addition to the course with an expanded pro-shop and a restaurant that will seat 80.

“We struggle a little bit with some our league play and some of the smaller tournaments that are not really big enough to use the casino catering and so we’re looking forward to the new business that it’s going to bring in those areas,” Taylor explained.

A hole in one for the course that is a decade in the making.

“It took us a little longer because we were saving up inside the corporation, retained earnings,” said Chief Darcy Bear, of Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

“We have partners, Muskeg Lake First Nation, Lac La Ronge Indian Band and part of our strategy was that this venture would be self-sufficient, we wouldn’t have to be going back for cash calls to the partners net.”

It’s an announcement that comes on the heels of another successful PGA Tour Canada Dakota Dunes Open and takes the course to new heights.

“It’s just what people expected when they come out to a world class golf course, they don’t expect to see trailers. They understand a lot of golf courses start that way but a new clubhouse is what they expect,” said Taylor.

While construction is underway, golf at the Dunes is pretty much par for the course if you plan on taking in a round this summer.

“It’s not disruptive, it’s taking out some tee boxes that not all of their golfers used and really once they get out on the golf course they really don’t know what’s happening back here at the clubhouse,” said Taylor.

Officials say golfers can expect the new clubhouse to be open for business May 1, 2015.