GRANGER, Ind. (WSBT) — Two years ago on Wednesday, smoke filled the sky over Granger as a fire destroyed the clubhouse at one of the area’s golf courses.
Many wondered when or even if it would be rebuilt.
After two years of hurdles, Juday Creek is ready to trade heartbreak for hope.
Where golfers once checked in, grabbed a hot dog or celebrated a great round, there was only rubble left.
It was also a place where weddings and events were held, making it hard to see it lost in the flames.
After two years of hurdles, Juday Creek is ready to trade heartbreak for hope. (WSBT Video)
“It just held so many memories of seeing people get married, people have anniversary parties. And so yeah, it’s very difficult,” said Linda Rogers, Juday Creek Golf Course owner.
But since that somber day, the family that owns the course has been working towards one goal in mind: rebuilding.
But it hasn’t come without challenges.
“It seems like every day we have a new situation that we need to come up with a problem to solve, so that makes the days go quicker,” said Michelle Wittig, Juday Creek Golf Course general manager.
The new clubhouse will sit in the same spot as the last.
After two years of hurdles, Juday Creek is ready to trade heartbreak for hope. (WSBT Photo)
The design is now taking shape.
Rising costs, new codes and limited insurance coverage forced some tough choices.
“Unfortunately, due to the extreme rising costs, unfortunately we had to cut the size almost in half. So, we’ll no longer have a banquet room or event space,” said Rogers.
There will be more bathrooms, golf simulators and a deck.
After two years of hurdles, Juday Creek is ready to trade heartbreak for hope. (WSBT Photo)
“I think it’s going to make people really happy because we’re going to have a great new deck that overlooks the golf course, and it’ll be fresh and it’ll be nice for people,” said Rogers.
Without the clubhouse and event space, the course owners have shifted their focus to improving the golf experience, including improvements to the driving range, which is only the beginning.
“We have a new superintendent this year, and so we’ve been able to, while we don’t have the clubhouse, focus our efforts on making the course in really good shape,” said Whittig.
The goal is to have a groundbreaking ceremony in September, followed by a community celebration.