Yacht Club renovation approved

The building will be renamed Lakepoint Restaurant and Event Center

Photo submitted This artist’s rendering shows the old Yacht Club building from the lake side, including a new ornamental stair case which will lead to a wedding pavilion near the lake. The building will be renovated and renamed Lakepoint Restaurant and Event Center, according to a presentation by the POA business development director Thomas Lee.
Photo submitted This artist’s rendering shows the old Yacht Club building from the lake side, including a new ornamental stair case which will lead to a wedding pavilion near the lake. The building will be renovated and renamed Lakepoint Restaurant and Event Center, according to a presentation by the POA business development director Thomas Lee.

Lynn Atkins

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More than $1.3 million will be spent renovating the Yacht Club, members of the Bella Vista Property Owners Association board of directors agreed Thursday.

Along with the renovation comes a new name: The Lakepoint Restaurant and Event Center.

Renovation and renaming happened during the monthly meeting of the POA board of diretors.

When the renovated building reopens it will be staffed by POA employees rather than being leased. The new restaurant replaces the leased one that closed in 2011.

The facility may reopen as early as March 2017.

The plan was presented by business development director Thomas Lee.

"Do you see many yachts on Loch Lomond?" he asked when questioned about the new name.

The restaurant will serve moderately priced foods, ranging from burgers and sandwiches to grilled pork chops and rib-eye steaks. Prices will range from $8 to $24 for a dinner. A Sunday brunch is also in the plans, according to the presentation.

A wine bar with access to the patio will be at one end of the building. It will be able to convert to a private dining room for small events, including wedding rehearsal dinners. The main banquet room will seat more than 200 people with about a hundred in the restaurant. Events and public dining will be able to take place at the same time.

Outside, a new staircase will lead down to a wedding pavilion overlooking the lake. Inside, a new bridal suite will be added.

"We are going to be a one-stop shop for weddings," Lee said.

Because there are no changes to the footprint of the building, the project may be completed by March 2017, in time for next spring's wedding season, general manager Tom Judson said.

The board approved a budget of $1,338,802 for the project.

The board also approved a second and final reading of two policies. One lowers the threshold to suspend water service to a POA member who doesn't pay their POA assessments. The change states that water service can be suspended once assessments are two months overdue.

Another policy change gives the general manager more control over fee changes for promotions and specials.

A plan to apply for a liquor license for the Scotsdale Golf Course was approved. If granted, the license will allow beer and wine sales in the clubhouse and on the course. Other permits to allow beer and wine on golf courses may be in the works, Judson said, but each course will need a separate permit.

Before the meeting, the board met in a closed session with new member Andrew Davis whose term begins in June. According to governing documents, the board holds one special meeting with its new members between the election and June 1 to elect officers for the coming year. Vice Chairman Brad Morris, who was running both meetings in the absence of Chairman Bob Brooks, would not release the names of the new officers.

General News on 05/25/2016