MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The old golf clubhouse began its demise during a ground breaking ceremony, Tuesday, kicking off the initial phase of construction for the new memorial golf clubhouse here.
The clubhouse replaces the Sandtrap, the station’s original clubhouse, as part of a $6.6 million project. Within the 16,000-square-foot space, the project will feature a new staff noncommissioned-officer’s club, a restaurant and an outdoor catering pavilion.
“I’m looking forward to replacing the Sandtrap with the brand new facility with state-of-the-art equipment and services that can better serve its patrons,” said Col. Christopher E.
O’Connor, the commanding officer of the station. “It will be another great addition to Miramar.”
The Navy built the Sandtrap in 1968, as a three building complex totaling 4,500 square feet.
Instead of renovating the old building, MCCS, Sodexho food services and the station have supplied funding for the project to provide the brand new golf clubhouse.
MCCS awarded the building contract to Stronghold Construction, a company based in Riverside, Calif., and the first phase of construction began with Tuesday’s demolition of the old structure.
“When the construction company finishes the new clubhouse, it will be one of the first Marine Corps facilities to achieve the ‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,’” said Frank J. Guasti, the project manager with facility planning at MCCS. “Basically it will be one of the most ecological friendly buildings, with everything from using recycled materials to build it, to using reclaimed non-potable water for the toilets and sprinkler system.”
Currently, the MCAS Miramar Memorial Golf Course ranks as one of the top eight military golf courses in the United States by Travel & Leisure Golf magazine.
In addition to the new facility, the air station plans to install permanent canopies for the driving range, according to Guasti.
“For almost 20 years I’ve been golfing here at Miramar and I can’t wait to see what they are going to put in,” said Artemio C. Cortez, a retired Navy chief petty officer.