The city of Dearborn Heights is accepting bids from qualified organizations to manage its Warren Valley Golf Course and Banquet Center to replace the city’s previous contractor which chose not to renew the contract.
Facility closed until new management team confirmed, maintenance issues addressed
By BILL ANKRAPP
For the Times-Herald
HEIGHTS – The city is accepting bids from qualified organizations to manage its Warren Valley Golf Course and Banquet Center to replace the city’s previous contractor which chose not to renew the contract, Mayor Bill Bazzi said.
Qualified bidders are being sought who can run Warren Valley’s 36-hole golf course and clubhouse operation, and its banquet and catering center. Prospective bidders have the opportunity to bid on their choice of three options:
• Management and operation of only the golf course.
• Management and operation of only the banquet, catering and meeting center.
• Management and operation of golf and banquet functions.
For representatives of any organization interested in being considered for these management opportunities, the request for bids has been posted at www.bidnet.com. Interested prospects also may visit the city Comptroller’s Office for a bid packet.
Oneida Golf Services had served under contract as the operator of the facility from October 2016 through Sept. 30, 2021. As part of the contract, Oneida was responsible for the maintenance, repair and updating of all facility assets, including the clubhouse.
Prior to the contract’s expiration, the city offered a status quo agreement that would have allowed Oneida to continue its work at the facility. The city didn’t receive a response to its proposal.
Instead, the city’s Legal Department received a communication Feb. 3 from Oneida’s attorneys, saying that Oneida was “keen to hand over the golf course to the City by February 17, 2022,” and that “time is now of the essence.”
It since had been discovered that due to Oneida’s breech of its contractual responsibilities, critical, unaddressed maintenance issues within the clubhouse exist. These discrepancies, coupled with the need to locate a new operator, necessitated the facility’s temporary closure effective Feb. 28 until both issues can be remedied.
“We are disappointed that we must close our facility while we work on solving these issues” Bazzi said. “However, it is vitally important that we get a new operator in place who can effectively manage our facility, and correctly address these important maintenance and safety issues that have been ignored.
“Rest assured, we will be back up and running as soon as we can possibly – and safely – do so. Safety of our residents and customers is our highest priority.
“I am committed to taking this action now, as it will help bring this facility to the next level of management and operation. For decades, Warren Valley has been one of the gems of this region, with unlimited – but sometimes untapped – potential. It’s time to make the changes needed to grow Warren Valley into a truly great regional resource for both golfing and banquet events.
“I’m confident these actions will play an instrumental role in helping Warren Valley grow into the exceptional facility it has the potential of becoming. Our residents deserve nothing less than this.”
In spite of the setback, Bazzi said he is optimistic about a quick solution and the facility’s future.
“Once we have our new team in place and these maintenance issues are settled, we will strive toward additional improvements in every aspect of this operation” he said. “We will strive for improvements in all areas of our facility – including measures to improve standing water drainage, our clubhouse offerings, and even our parking lot. Our meetings, banquet and catering operations will see a number of physical improvements and updates.
“Additionally, we will also focus on measures that will help us capitalize on even more seasonal outdoor events. These will help us become more attractive to potential customers, and help us better serve not just larger social events such as wedding receptions and showers, but will also help us solidify our role as a popular and affordable resource for businesses that are interested in hosting catered social, management and training-related events.
“We plan to expand our first-floor restaurant’s operation to better serve not just golfers, but into a family-friendly restaurant with extended hours that will welcome residents and visitors alike who are looking for a great and affordable local dining spot.
“Our entire operation will become more pro-active in the community by better promoting its offerings, updating and upgrading many of its assets, becoming more innovative with the types of services we offer — such as last summer’s concerts — improving our level of service, and most importantly, embracing a true customer service approach toward all we do.”
Bazzi said he has set an ambitious schedule for this management transition.
“I want to have our new team in place and functioning this spring,” he said. “We need to be able to offer a great environment for those who participate in Warren Valley’s golf leagues. Equally important, we must ensure to those who are looking to book future banquet events that – through the work of our new contractor – Warren Valley will be there to serve their needs effectively, affordably and safely. Our aim is to make all our customers’ experiences smooth, enjoyable and memorable ones.”
The 36-hole course was designed and built by world-renowned Scottish golf architect, Donald Ross. It was his first Michigan course, and this year will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Originally owned and operated by Wayne County, the city purchased the course in 2018. Since its purchase, the facility has operated with relatively few major improvements.