Green Garden Country Club to Reopen Golf Dome in January

When a blizzard tore through the Southland in February, the gusting winds and accumulated snowfall ripped a hole in the inflatable indoor golf dome at , .

Now, almost a year later, the golf course is preparing to reopen the dome next month. And it's something staff members have been anticipating for a while.

"No doubt about it, we're excited," said Todd Russell, the head golf professional at Green Garden. "We've gotten a lot of calls and inquiries from people about when we're going to open it."

Although the collapse site has been cleaned up and the driving range's concrete and steel structures are still intact, the course is still waiting for the replacement fabric--or envelope, as it's called--for the dome, Russell said. The envelope is scheduled to be delivered around the end of December, and Russell said the plan is to have the dome up and ready by Jan. 1. But weather and other factors could delay that a few days, he added.

And this dome will come with some upgrades. A skylight will provide more light during daytime hours, and a new ventilation system will keep a consistent temperature inside the dome, Russell said. 

Of course, the most important aspect of the new dome will be its structural integrity. Russell said he's confident with the company that's supplying the new envelope, adding that the product the course is getting has been used in arctic temperatures, and engineers have tested it with pressure and snow trackers.

"Obviously, there are no guarantees ever, but we feel comfortable with the technology (the company) is offering that what happened in February won't again," he said.

Although no firm plans are in place, Russell said he's in the process of putting together grand opening events and specials for when the dome finally opens. 

At the same time that the Green Garden staff is preparing for the dome, it's also winding down the country club's restaurant. In the past, Green Garden's restaurant has stayed open year-round, but starting after Dec. 5, the close will close for the winter and reopen in March. Russell said the change was a seasonal decision to base restaurant hours around golf course play.