The Newton City Council has taken another step towards completing the new clubhouse being built at Westwood Golf Course. The council approved spending up to $75,000 to build the clubhouse’s bar at their meeting Monday night, after it was not included in the construction contract due to financial constraints. But a private fundraising group raised the money for that portion of the project. At-Large City Councilman Randy Ervin says the bar and the golf simulators that are going to be installed are good investments that will pay for themselves and generate good revenue in the long run.

“I happen to belong to an indoor league in Des Moines that plays on simulators every week. They charge pretty good funds and they are full. You have to call two weeks out to try and get a tee time. And I have yet to be there when I haven’t seen people buying pizza, lunch, beers, or sodas.”

 The Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse is expected to be ready before the start of the golf season. Also at the meeting, Public Works Director Joe Grife reported on the status of getting a new hauling contract for solid waste and recycling, and the Newton Historic Preservation Commission’s 2024 Annual Report was presented.