Work would include evaluation of Creekside site

By Sam Richards

Staff writer

Friday, March 21 (9:30 a.m.): The GRF Planning Committee voted March 13 to recommend to the Finance Committee spending $59,100 in capital fund money for Synergy Restaurant Consultants to do the next phase of work on the Food and Beverage Study project.

That work will include an evaluation of the physical Creekside Grill and Bar site and how the facility could be part of any future food-related enterprise in Rossmoor, and developing a “request for proposal” document informed in part by that evaluation.

No analysis of Creekside Grill, which operates the only commercial kitchen facility in Rossmoor, was included in the previous Food and Beverage Study work. That study started over a year ago to determine what kind of food and beverage options residents want in Rossmoor and would support, and of what options are practical or possible, financially or given Rossmoor’s kitchen facilities.

Synergy has been surveying residents and meeting with them in small groups and studying various food-preparation facilities within Rossmoor for their suitability.

Both GRF General Manager Jeff Matheson and Director of Community Services Ann Mottola stressed Thursday that this second phase of the study would not be a referendum on Creekside Grill itself as a business or as an operator but rather will focus on the physical attributes of its facility, and how well it could work into a more inclusive food and beverage system under a contract operator.

Matheson acknowledged the restaurant’s importance in the Rossmoor community, having operated at its current location since 2007. Creekside Grill’s lease expires at the end of this year, but Matheson said the restaurant’s operators would be welcome to apply to be an “operating partner” with GRF in operating food and beverage services in Rossmoor in future years.

“We want them to be part of the process,” Matheson said.

If eventually approved by the GRF Board, Synergy also would help develop a “request for proposals” that GRF would send out to firms or individuals who would want to oversee food and beverage options in Rossmoor. Matheson said he envisions an entrepreneur flexible enough to consider different types of service options.

“We want a partner that we can work with long-term,” Matheson said.

Two Synergy consultants led a Feb. 25 Town Hall-style meeting at the Event Center where results of their research were shared; among the most desired offerings are an all-day customer-service restaurant with “coffee, cocktails and hospitality,” where diners can enjoy varied menu offerings while lingering to socialize.

Synergy’s main survey showed that only 5% of respondents said they’re satisfied with the current options. The final report summing up the work Synergy has done so far is due by the end of April.

Moving the golf course irrigation line

The Planning Committee on Thursday also approved a second recommendation to the Finance Committee, to spend $9,000 of capital budget money for design work for a relocated golf course irrigation water pipeline near the Event Center and Dollar Clubhouse, which includes design work for the replacement pipeline.

This line relocation work is needed before construction of the planned pickleball structure in that area can begin. Mottola said Thursday the timeline for that work is uncertain; there could be more clarity after March 27, when the pickleball project comes before the Walnut Creek Planning Commission for what could be final permit approvals – or possibly requests for more work on the project proposal.

This recommendation, which also would have to be approved by the full GRF Board, includes signing a contract with Russell D. Mitchell & Associates, Inc., of Walnut Creek, to carry out that design work.

Mottola said the pipeline work should neither significantly disrupt irrigation on the Dollar Ranch Course’s 18^th hole, nor physically disrupt play on that hole. The work has been anticipated for a long time.

The irrigation line relocation is a separate project from the pickleball facility, as it is considered “repair and maintenance” that doesn’t require city permits, as does the pickleball facility.