Orem city and operators of Sleepy Ridge Golf Course will break ground on a $5.5 million clubhouse today at the course located at 700 S. Sleepy Ridge Drive, west of I-15.

The 40,000-square-foot facility is touted to be one of the largest in the state and will include executive offices, a workout room, spa, lockers and reception area for weddings and golf banquets with cart storage in the basement. It will have more reception space than the clubhouse at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.

Ceremonies, which will include city officials, kicks off at noon. The public is welcome.

Designed to capture the classic features of St. Andrews in Scotland and the clubhouse at Whistling Straights in Wisconsin, according to golf course operator, Golden Holt, who partnered with Keith Holdaway on the facility designed by Kent Harris. Construction will be by Miller Construction.

The clubhouse is due for completion by November.

"We have commitments for leases on half the offices in the second floor," said Holt.

Sleepy Ridge, entering its third season, grossed $1.2 million in golf revenue last year and is debt free thanks to a unique agreement with Orem city. The course is on city land but Holt operates the course and carries the burden of upkeep on his own while his operation is rent free for 39 years at which time the property reverts back to the city.

A similar arrangement is under contract for the proposed clubhouse. Together, the city will realize a $11 million golf facility when the contract expires. The current 18-hole course, located west of I-15 near Vineyard, was paid for by real estate sales of nearby developments and does not carry any debt service.

"I believe this is a great way for Orem city to provide a resort golf facility for its residents and the great thing is taxpayers don't have to pay for it," said Holt.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com