COVINGTON, KY – Residents and visitors to Covington’s Devou Park will soon be able to enjoy a brand new golf course clubhouse thanks to the generosity of the Devou Park Trust and Drees Pavilion.
City of Covington officials and representatives from the Devou Park Advisory Committee, Drees Pavilion, the Devou Park Trusts, and the Devou Park Golf Course broke ground today on the new facility, which is expected to be complete by Spring 2017.
Barbara Drees Jones, President of the Board of Devou Properties, Inc., which oversees the operation and management of Drees Pavilion, expressed enthusiasm for the project: “Devou Properties, Inc. and the Drees Pavilion have been improving Devou Park through capital improvement projects over the past ten years. What better use of our resources than a much needed golf clubhouse. We are very excited to enrich the long tradition of golf at Devou Park with this new facility.”
The current clubhouse at Devou Park Golf Course was constructed in 1934. A feasibility study determined it was cost prohibitive to renovate the facility. Plans for a new facility were drafted following several meetings to receive design input from the community.
The new 12,000 square foot clubhouse will feature rental space for private events, a geothermal heating and cooling system, a pro shop, a café with outdoor seating, and a Devou Park Ranger station.
The project also eliminates all storm water drainage from the clubhouse and parking lot to Miller’s Pond in Park Hills. Storm water will instead be diverted to a golf course retention area and used to irrigate the course.
The new amenities will not only be available to golfers. The clubhouse will also provide a place for park visitors to purchase food and drink, rent bikes, and obtain general information about Devou Park. The rental space will be available to the public to serve as a more modest alternative to the Drees Pavilion for events such as meetings, wedding receptions, community gatherings, and parties.
The entire $5.25 million cost will be paid for by Devou Park Trust and Drees Pavilion funds. Drees Pavilion has committed $2 million to the project. The Devou Trust funds will provide an additional $250,000 from the Devou Trust funds and the operating income of the clubhouse. These are private, non-City funds dedicated to projects and improvements in Devou Park.
“The Devou Trust and Drees Pavilion are two entities that have always invested in Devou Park, and are continuing to do so by funding this project,” said City Manager Larry Klein. “The park is one of our city’s top attractions, bringing in visitors from all over the region and used daily by residents. A new clubhouse will add to the list of amenities available to both residents and visitors.”
Construction work is scheduled to begin within the next one to two weeks. The Devou Park Golf Course will continue to operate as usual during construction.