The Jasper County Board of Supervisors have approved a memorandum of understanding that allows the new clubhouse at Newton’s city-owned golf course to open next week without an operational sprinkler system. The memorandum of understanding waives the county’s liability for the lack of a working sprinkler system, and allows Jasper County’s Community Development Director, Kevin Luetters to issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

“Newton is requesting to open the clubhouse without an operational sprinkler system. They’re asking my department for temporary occupancy now, and then final occupancy once the sprinkler system is operational.”

Westwood Golf Course is just outside of Newton’s city limits, and the City of Newton needs to install a new $1.2 million water main nearby in order to have enough water pressure for the sprinkler system to operate. That new water supply is to be installed later this year. The Iowa Department of Inspection, Appeals, and Licensing also granted the City of Newton a variance so the new clubhouse can open. That variance does place some safety requirements on the city. Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik says if an event is expected to draw 100 people or more, the city has to hire a trained fire watch officer to monitor the number of occupants in the clubhouse and identify hazards that could cause a fire. 

The Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a ribbon-cutting at the new Westwood Golf Course clubhouse at noon this coming Monday.