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STAMFORD, Conn. Residents of the Newfield section of Stamford shared their displeasure about the possible demolition of the Main House at Sterling Farms Golf Course with the Stamford Planning Board on Tuesday night.
The Stamford Golf Authority wants to demolish the house as part of its new proposed lease with the city, to build a new restaurant that could better serve the needs of the golf course. The proposed site would be about 3,000 square feet bigger and closer to the 18th green, said Jerry Hupy, an architect working with the authority.
Its my front yard, Patti Foster said of the plan to replace the picnic area with a parking lot on the Sterling Farms property. Foster also said that before the board decides, she would like the plan to demolish the main house to also say that the golf authority would build a new restaurant.
William Arnone, an accountant and Stamford resident, reviewed the numbers from the golf authority and said he does not believe a restaurant could succeed in the new building unless it would bring in $3 million a year. The owner would be responsible for paying about $200,000 to the bank for the new building and $25,000 to the city, plus other expenses annually, before it would make a profit, he said.
Their numbers simply dont make mathematical sense, Arnone said, breaking down estimations from the golf authority.
Some also looked to save the building, which dates to the mid- to late 1800s. However, the golf authority does not want to renovate it because its foundation is unstable, and the project would possibly cost more than constructing a new building, Hupy said.
Both the mens and womens golf clubs at Sterling Farms support the proposed demolition. Both clubs' representatives said they were looking to hold banquets and other functions elsewhere because the current facilities are not large enough. Erin Turner, president of the womens club, said she believed more groups would hold tournaments at Sterling if a new restaurant and banquet facility were built.
The board ended the meeting after the public spoke and will continue the hearing next Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Government Centers cafeteria. At that meeting, representatives of the Stamford Golf Authority will address questions and concerns brought up during this hearing.
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