This page features the proposed Event Center as presented to the GRF Board in November 2011
by Gregor Markel and Karl Danielson of the Dahlin Group architectural firm.
Here is some background on the proposed Event Center:
Optimal utilization
The cited goal of the 1997 General Plan was to “research the optimal utilization”
of the Creekside complex. This included relocating the News and Public Safety offices
from facilities that had long been considered inadequate (and, in 2006, became uninhabitable
due to toxic mold), as well as remedying shortcomings of golf maintenance
and repair areas. It also included incorporating an indoor snack bar for resident use.
In 2003, six architectural firms were contacted with request for proposals for designing a master plan
and eventually the Dahlin Group of Pleasanton was selected for the task.
The master plan got under way, beginning with focus groups throughout the community.
The results of those meetings were presented at a special GRF Board meeting and
planning session in April 2004.
Culled from the interest group meetings, Danielson told the then-Board that the most common
resident requests were an enclosed pool, an enlarged fitness center, a bar and grill,
and a center for large-scale events. There was also call for better table tennis facilities and
more meeting rooms for clubs
and organizations.
The Dahlin Group came up with three sets of plans, using several configurations
on both the north and south side of Stanley Dollar Drive.
The original set of architectural drawings included a variety of options that were eventually discarded
due to impracticality or cost-prohibition. A second fitness center was incorporated into some
of the original Creekside drawings, as was an indoor pool complex. Both ideas were rejected.
Later, the indoor pool complex became a separate entity from the Creekside project
and the Del Valle pool enclosure was completed in 2007.
The conversation about enlarging the Fitness Center continues, but if the Event Center is built at Creekside,
the Del Valle Clubhouse meetings rooms would be freed up for a Fitness Center expansion.
The debate began in those early days of planning and has since continued within
the community about needs versus desires, and what is affordable and what is not.
Event Center postponed
In 2005, the most common concerns residents shared about the Creekside plan centered on
two factors: the concept of borrowing large sums of money for the project,
and whether or not a new Event Center was needed.
The Board at that time explored other options.
Then, in 2006 the Board directed Dahlin to consider moving the Event Center to the south side of
Stanley Dollar Drive with everything else formerly proposed in the master plan on the north side.
In April 2006, Dahlin brought the newest plan before the community,
which incorporated these changes and was generally well received by the community,
except for those who objected to an event center in general.
In December 2006,
the Board approved the conceptual design and authorized Dahlin to begin
the planning approval and permit process as well as construction documents on the revised plans.
But in 2007, a look at finances brought that year’s Board to some new realities.
GRF President David Smith told residents the Board would have to cut back on its plans if
it was to build Creekside entirely from the Trust Fund and without increasing the coupon.
In February 2008, new CEO Warren Salmons worked with the Board in an open workshop on Creekside
that resulted in the decision to phase the project. Construction would only begin
on the north side of Stanley Dollar Drive and would include the offices, maintenance and
storage facilities, as well as a social building with meeting rooms and the new restaurant.
The original plan to build a separate Pro Shop was put on hold and the Pro Shop was incorporated
into the design of the social building.
The first phase of construction on the north side of Stanley Dollar Drive got under way and part was completed
in October 2010 (the offices and maintenance building) and the rest early
this year (the social building).
Master plan still in play
However, despite the postponement, the Event Center has remained in the master plan. Now that the buildings on
the north side are complete, the Board has determined it is time to once again take a look
at the Event Center and completing the entire Creekside master plan.
The proposed Event Center at Creekside will have a roundabout driveway on the east side
of the building that will sit across Stanley Dollar Drive from the rest of the Creekside complex.
(Click on the art for a larger version)
The master plan for Creekside included buildings on both the north and south sides of
Stanley Dollar Drive. However, only the north side has been completed.
The Event Center and parking are planned on the side where
the Dollar Clubhouse is located, sharing added parking with the clubhouse.
(Click on the art for a larger version)
The proposed Event Center will have a large room to hold hundreds of people
both seated and at tables, with a stage and a "green room" for performers.
The building will also have a kitchen, storage areas and meeting rooms as part of the complex.
Room design updated November 2011.
(Click on the art for a larger version)
The following plans were presented to the GRF Board on Nov. 8, 2011 and
show the site construction and access plan and the tree removal plan.
Also at that meeting, the following timeline was presented to the Board:
Feb. 13, 2012: Completion of project documents
Feb. 14 through March 15, 2012: Bid period
March 16 through 19, 2012: Review of bids
March 20, 2012: Interview of two selected contractors
March 29, 2012: Recommendation of contractors to the GRF Board for consideration
(Click on the art for a larger version)
