HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-2026 Golf Course Multipurpose Event Center minutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
GOLF COURSE MULTIPURPOSE EVENT CENTER AD HOC COMMITTEE
Members Present: Mandi Williams, Chuck Engelken, Jay Martin, Robert Guerra
Members Attending Remotely: None
Members Absent: None
Council -appointed Officers Present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward,
City Secretary
The Golf Course Multipurpose Event Center Ad Hoc Committee of the City of
La Porte met on July 8, 2026, at the City Hall Council Chambers,
604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 1:20 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER - Chair Williams called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
2. CITIZEN COMMENT - There were no comments.
3. COMMITTEE CHARGE, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION
The committee is tasked with evaluating and providing recommendations on
the following:
• Identify key goals and areas of need to be addressed by the proposed
facilities.
• Provide feedback on essential facility components, including kitchen size
and configuration, meeting space size and layout, and overall facility design.
• Assess the feasibility of combining clubhouse operations and event center
functions within a single facility.
• Evaluate whether the proposed building can serve as both a new event center
and a replacement for the existing clubhouse and grill.
• Determine whether the current clubhouse and grill footprint could be
repurposed for parking or other supporting infrastructure.
• Analyze potential cost savings or efficiencies of a combined facility versus
constructing separate structures for an event center and clubhouse/grill.
• Provide recommendations regarding the appropriate management and
operational structure for the facility based on the City of La Porte's current
organizational framework.
• Evaluate the feasibility of hosting multiple events simultaneously within the
proposed facility.
• Determine whether the proposed use represents the highest and best use of
the golf course property.
• Review the surrounding properties, residential and commercial, along South
Broadway between Garfield and Wharton Weems and determine if these
properties could have a negative/positive impact on the use of the proposed
facility.
• Assess whether, if Council elects to proceed, the project should be submitted
to the voters to provide guidance for funding.
Mayor Helton provided an overview of the charge to the Committee. Jameson Appel
introduced remote presenters Mike Hinchey of GSB-Inc.; Will Dierinzo of Tom Hoch
Design; and Mitchell Maynard of Kiley -Horn, to present the current schematics and
design.
Committee members requested a price estimate for a fuller kitchen in the event center;
recommendations from golf course manager Billy Stoker; that Mr. Stoker's wishes be
addressed; consider a climate -controlled space or an open air/partially opened
observatory deck for expansion above a single -story building; and that landscaping
be above and beyond what is required. Mr. Stoker expressed a preference for a two -
building option with a pro shop on the west side and grill on the east side and to switch
the 9 and 10 greens for increased visibility. The committee provided a preference to
proceed with two buildings rather than a single two-story building.
Mr. Alexander noted the City Charter did not permit referendum elections for capital
projects but that a bond election could be placed as a ballot measure. Committee
members suggested that a bond election might best include projects additional to this
one.
4. ADJOUR Without objectio , - • r ' Williams adjourned the meeting at 3:33 p.m.
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