[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6019391,"mediaKeyId","5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c","parentId",5772682,"title","Oak Hills members agree to prioritize pro-shop HVAC funding over immediate cart-path work","audioSeconds",2759,"startMs",2763000,"endMs",3268,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c&start=2763&end=3","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c/thumbnail_2763000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6019391/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Oak-Hills-members-agree-to-prioritize-pro-shop-HVAC-funding-over-immediate-cart-path-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019391-24f75749550ae2ac61d11327563dc2b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141446&Signature=dm0V5yNNbjBUgkkswLR-PKH6wQIGxii14zAS2GVmNIjg76n6kcyytuoih5LSax7yuJNlTySr00C-8TS655L5wuzgZQj~XBP3XOflpq4FjEMmjhimbXr6YcEibPzemyGKTCbcHXqoJEiNvI2rqJ2FMtBGIbdW3ZeVq7BT~p3-zw1CxWnI4wLu5n46SNqX9~8tSZ~GHRALym3MI7zTNRqYJzvC1Uv6czrrFbbvEexKSGQOXm3OoKV-wqLfOWbXR030oClJjgl9QEuBIqLSTL61fWndpxyj5qzH1H9w0vMiK~h1sqgXg7ZChtyaMjcgqzJnSiouxj40l5-8njtO91SGSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-08-22T00:53:31Z","article","Oak Hills Park Authority members discussed redirecting money earmarked for cart-path repairs to replace failing HVAC units in the pro shop and adjacent clubhouse areas at their August meeting.

The authority’s controller, Mark (controller), told members that July revenue was strong: “July revenue is $49,000 over budget,” and that the authority’s operating cash balance (excluding capital reserve) stood at about $958,000. Mark said net operating income for the period was roughly $40,000 higher than budget and that, with seasonal play continuing, cash typically rises through September.

Those figures framed a conversation about adding an approximately $38,000 HVAC expense to the current capital plan. Alan Dutton, chair of the Oak Hills Park Authority, said the pro-shop units must be replaced now and proposed using the cart-path allocation in the capital budget to cover the cost while postponing cart-path work: “So I think we should do that. Not that we should forget about the cart pass … we can look at doing the cart pass in the spring.”

The discussion noted prior capital savings — Mark said the well project saved about $20,000 and equipment savings of roughly $4,000 — but several other planned or recently incurred capital items (awnings and the halfway-house roof) had increased projected capital spend. Members emphasized they wanted to continue investing surplus operating results into capital projects but to sequence work to avoid disrupting fall projects such as bunker repairs.

No formal motion or recorded roll-call vote to reallocate the cart-path funds appeared in the meeting record. Members verbally agreed that using the cart-path allocation for the immediate HVAC replacement was acceptable and that the cart-path program could be reconsidered next season, with staff to manage scheduling and scope.

Discussion points
- Mark (controller) provided financial context: July revenue $49,000 over budget; July expenses approximately $9,000 over budget; net operating income about $40,000 above budget; cash (excluding capital reserve) roughly $958,000 and capital reserve about $73,000. He noted the budget used an average round price of $37.54 while July’s average was about $45 per round, which explains revenue strength with only a modest increase in rounds.
- Alan Dutton (chair) said the pro-shop HVAC and restroom/lobby units require replacement now and recommended drawing from the cart-path allocation rather than delaying the HVAC investment.
- Several members (including Gary Leeds and Denise Brown) said they supported investing surplus in capital but urged tracking total CapEx and revisiting cart-path scope and timing in the spring to avoid conflicts with fall bunker work.

Action and next steps
- No formal recorded vote to reallocate funds appeared in the minutes. The consensus on the record was to proceed with the pro-shop HVAC replacement using cart-path funds and to defer major cart-path work until a later planning cycle. Staff were asked to track CapEx adjustments, to provide updated estimates for outstanding projects (including tennis court structural work and cart-path scope), and to return with recommendations.

Why this matters
The authority’s decision to prioritize an immediate HVAC replacement for clubhouse spaces uses available operating surplus to address equipment failure and building comfort that affect members and daily operations. Members signaled a preference to sequence capital work to avoid clashes with other contractor-heavy projects and to preserve the authority’s broader capital program.

Ending
Staff will present updated capital balances and project estimates at a future meeting; members said they expect to revisit cart-path scope and timing before committing remaining funds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oak Hills Park Authority 08-21-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Oak Hills Park Authority members discussed redirecting money earmarked for cart-path repairs to replace failing HVAC units in the pro shop and adjacent clubhouse areas at their August meeting.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6019377,"Oak Hills reports strong summer play, 1,175 memberships and plans for a mobile booking app",1216,1506000,2722000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c&start=1506&end=2722","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c/thumbnail_1506000.jpg","/articles/6019377/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Oak-Hills-reports-strong-summer-play-1175-memberships-and-plans-for-a-mobile-booking-app","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019377-36cdd4194293b34a9cd0c6e5fbf4f51a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141446&Signature=H1nRHsKPmJQMWJN0pPP95JwKsBSTVRhBllrOKT5NpcUYDFSiL6x5hb~kTds~CE7tztSkRNFmDygtb6Kizvmq5sh3R5ugQ6XxAmnnFAwjIDqUGJ4yAbYMneKCZ183X8DoPDT28~cCPa3gb3nts3iVZg2JUFU0GyKMqbMtrWIhvvrGJAzQR4a3W1vebrB0MlNxwaDQUcfFqxLsqpLQ-g2dpnGTR7owcEGhQjXHM0aYhFSJK5I6vEHPYggWMoCV4ufZ4ds0A1DVA692WQ5oQlfFMH8tnREwjr0BkNRMyM2AYpU~iA8tsf6RzBHzJ4kosbM0ZRXn4LK9OsDnnCugU~3h6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Hills Golf Professional Paul Alexander told the Oak Hills Park Authority at its August meeting that summer play remained strong and that operations are preparing for fall, with a mobile app and facility improvements underway.

Paul Alexander reported, \"We sold 1,175 golf memberships since January 1.\" He said full tee sheets were common despite hot weather, and that the course hosted multiple group events in August, including a sold-out TaylorMade demo day, a Southern New England Women’s Golf Association shotgun event and a Metropolitan PGA Junior Tour stop.

Operations and staffing
Alexander said staff levels were down as college-season employees returned to school but that three new staff members had been hired and the course retained a total staff of about 30. He said 68 rental carts are in the last year of their lease and that the authority is negotiating a new lease. Pace-of-play efforts include adding additional Rangers on weekends and a ball spotter on Hole 7.

Membership and revenue
Controller Mark reported that July revenue was significantly higher than budget and that the average recorded green fee in July was about $45 per round compared with the budget average of $37.54, contributing to a revenue surplus despite only a modest increase in rounds played.

Technology and facility improvements
General Manager Jim Schell said the authority had contracted a short-term social-media specialist to improve online outreach and that the halfway house roof was replaced. Schell said the board had installed sunshades on Odin's terrace and that members found the shades made afternoon dining more comfortable. He also said the authority is evaluating a mobile booking solution from 4Up; Schell described a setup where the vendor would waive setup fees and the service would cost about $200 per month.

Why this matters
High membership and strong revenue performance support operating liquidity and create capacity for capital investments. The mobile booking app and improved digital outreach aim to modernize member access and increase bookings; terrace and roof work improves member experience at the clubhouse restaurant.

Ending
Staff will continue lease negotiations for carts, finalize mobile-app setup with 4Up, and monitor membership and outing schedules as the season moves into fall.","Oak Hills Golf Professional Paul Alexander told the Oak Hills Park Authority at its August meeting that summer play remained strong and that operations are preparing for fall, with a mobile app and facility improvements underway.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6019382,"Oak Hills advances tennis RFP, schedules tournaments and flags structural court repair needs",1602,994000,2596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c&start=994&end=2596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c/thumbnail_994000.jpg","/articles/6019382/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Oak-Hills-advances-tennis-RFP-schedules-tournaments-and-flags-structural-court-repair-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019382-3d6617770a5af35737d132adbd5c1e8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141446&Signature=QkSOSJlD82l6kt9U8oKymh6JezbVxFZPOFXePRVKJTKW46aCqLRsG8j4S4vyphPDatsvEy93zW17uOXW4WLGqjp~2XGKDiv6mLop3tNIqMOWafsaw6MhszZ--Y3ERBPiYZOR0-ITKRsVrShsXtLe-hY6qx6iwfXmKMlNaFkY0kU4QaGicNnqahV5Yek28vENwFAnjq6Qb8RssZm~1ll1SD3XmYxGAOclGGxZtSc4JvlsS6P8LM~dC7vbT0rCeTZb8cz1kOqN59D7rq9D6GaCmLjP2G94mUdrU8o4RtvSkAiZTO8MShS4cFL52AV2KuEztVfj9MtNGaWZ406F1FOmiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Hills Park Authority members heard updates on tennis operations, an upcoming RFP for tennis services, scheduled tournaments and a structural repair need for a court wall that is eroding toward a fairway.

Denise Brown, who leads tennis-related efforts on the authority, said the tennis RFP to procure vendor/professional services is \"just about ready to be finalized\" and that the document will likely be released in early September. She said the city purchasing office maintains vendor lists and will distribute the RFP; members also discussed broader outreach to industry contacts to increase responses.

Tournaments and programming
Denise described two upcoming events: a Labor Day drop-in doubles tournament and the Arthur Globelat tournament set for Sept. 19. Local organizers and the volunteer group Friends of Tennis are coordinating player outreach and promotions via email blasts and the Oak Hills website.

Court repairs and safety
Jim Schell reported structural erosion at one court (identified in the discussion as Court 8) that is eroding toward the fairway near Hole 11 and said the court \"absolutely needs to be done because it's eroding down to the fairway on 11.\" Schell said a rough estimate had been obtained; Denise summarized vendor pricing context for repair quotes, saying the firm Oval Tennis provided a quote that was about $2,000 higher than another vendor (Davis) and that \"it's probably about actually 5,500 something around there,\" making Oval the preferred but more expensive option because of its specialization.

Friends of Tennis funding
A brief discussion noted that some authority members did not believe donation money from Friends of Tennis should be used for structural repairs that are essentially capital infrastructure. One member said such repairs are the authority's responsibility rather than a donors' expense.

Why this matters
The tennis program at Oak Hills houses public courts, regular clinics and tournaments; structural court failure and erosion adjacent to playing areas pose both safety and liability risks and can affect play and adjacent golf operations. The RFP release will determine a pool of vendors and professionals to run future programming and court maintenance.

Ending
Staff will finalize the RFP distribution list with city purchasing, circulate tournament publicity, and return with firm contractor estimates for the court structural repair for capital-planning consideration.","Oak Hills Park Authority members heard updates on tennis operations, an upcoming RFP for tennis services and a structural repair need for a court wall that is eroding toward a fairway.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6019386,"Oak Hills reports new well yield, schedules fall aeration and bunker work",1352,756000,2108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c&start=756&end=2108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772682-5d993ebd05b23ffd2f7f88770ab4243c/thumbnail_756000.jpg","/articles/6019386/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Oak-Hills-reports-new-well-yield-schedules-fall-aeration-and-bunker-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019386-4cc9cabb90d7f59e741c68c4dc1cc2b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141446&Signature=EBRjANieXge3OzjAZqjaDeJK69Aa~AZa-uR8ROP5n8vWRb7a9et5Jn3OeGazy6hhalSRZ9KmUss8pB9lDV8RRRB3FO2uLFlioL8WzSVxTgSO1RpPTeFPiPpYiyrITRditV-36kK86b2AaLpF6gBZfzrFp3wMmffCxWsj4dRE-E3J56CMLCmOa~svsX6l4y-4LiE4DL9lJUi1F7p9jswqZZU~l70DC~94L~MLIVfJqbEtbiTNSaKY8RR6ZRwjW-Ws7O6Af9ukiYTVf~MZKYIemOIp2E6ox3TxoWCTKbNQp3GwhSleny19OLb8yBCPbRhePKbvSaq3skIPFOhKV9Efcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Hills Park Authority Superintendent Jim Schell reported at the August meeting that a new or recently repaired well is providing a substantial irrigation boost and that fall turf projects — including large-crew greens aeration and a contractor-led bunker renovation — are scheduled after a major outing.

\"It provides us 22 to 23 gallons a minute after it levels off,\" Schell said of the well. \"That is 30 to 32,000 gallons a day, which is great.\" Chair Alan Dutton earlier noted staff had been pumping from an existing pond nightly and estimated the authority had been moving roughly 30,000 gallons per day ahead of the well coming online.

Schell said the course had received about 1.66 inches of rain the night before the meeting, which helped pond levels, but that the course remained in an \"abnormally dry condition\" per the U.S. Drought Monitor. He said staff had been moving water nightly from the pond near No. 2 to No. 6 and that the well reduces reliance on that pump.

Timing and projects
- Bunker renovation: Schell said the bunkers contractor is scheduled to begin work after the Whittingham Outing; he expects the contractor to be prompt this year.
- Greens aeration: The authority scheduled the major fall greens aeration for two days (fall dates immediately after the Whittingham Outing), and Schell asked for volunteer help for those days.
- Equipment and staffing: Schell reported staffing is lighter than normal as college-season employees return to school; rough-mower replacement options are under consideration but none are ideal.

Course safety note
During the meeting Jim Schell also noted a few incidents in which individuals (described as \"kids\") were struck by golf balls near a court/wooded area that is eroding toward fairway No. 11; he described a need for structural repair at the adjacent tennis court area to reduce the hazard and stop erosion.

Why this matters
The new well's steady yield (22–23 gpm) reduces irrigation pressure on pond and pump systems and gives staff more operational flexibility during dry spells. The scheduled bunker work and aeration are routine yet significant maintenance steps that affect playability and course condition, and their timing must be coordinated around major outings.

Ending
Staff will notify members in advance of contractor work and temporary green or course closures and will provide follow-up scheduling details for the aeration and bunker projects.","Superintendent Jim Schell told the Oak Hills Park Authority the course's new well is supplying roughly 22–23 gallons per minute (about 30,000–32,000 gallons per day), easing irrigation strain during an abnormally dry period. The authority also confirmed fall greens aeration and a bunker renovation following the Whittingham outing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oak Hills members agree to prioritize pro-shop HVAC funding over immediate cart-path work

Oak Hills reports strong summer play, 1,175 memberships and plans for a mobile booking app

Oak Hills advances tennis RFP, schedules tournaments and flags structural court repair needs

Oak Hills reports new well yield, schedules fall aeration and bunker work