The Oswego Village Board recently approved concept plans for an indoor nine-hole public golf course.
The 100-acre site west of Route 30 and north of Rance Road is currently in unincorporated Will County and would have to be annexed into Oswego and rezoned from agriculture to a regional business district, according to the proposal.
Canada-based Megalodome Golf is proposing to build four 270,000-square-foot golf domes at the site. Three domes would contain a nine-hole golf course, while the fourth dome would be a practice facility, according to the plan.
“This is fantastic. There’s nowhere in the world like this. This is first on the Earth right in Oswego,” Village President Ryan Kauffman said.
The developer is considering a third level for the clubhouse planned for the site to provide additional banquet facilities for Oswego.
Carrie Hansen, director of Planning and Government Services for Schoppe Design Associates of Oswego, said in a presentation to trustees the domes would be 110 feet high at the apex to allow for “full swing capacity for big hitters,” Hansen said.
The domes would be 300 feet by 900 feet each, she said.
“That is approximately one football field wide by three football fields long. They are big. That’s about 270,000 square feet each or about six acres under dome for each dome,” Hansen told trustees.
As for the strength of the structures, “Megalodome Golf is committed to the latest groundbreaking technology and innovation,” Hansen said.
The design of the domes would feature “climate control to maintain perfect playing conditions year-round regardless of the weather outside,” she said.
The domes would be designed with measures “to enhance the realism and overall golf experience by offering real- time feedback as you would experience on an outdoor golf course,” she said.
The courses are “inspired by Arizona’s renowned golf courses,” Hansen said.
Approximately 34 acres of the site would be designated for potential expansion of the facility and compatible uses including hotels and restaurants, but not residential, Hansen said.
The developer originally proposed a two-story, 8,000-square-foot clubhouse for the site. However, the developer is now looking into building a three-story clubhouse.
“We are now considering adding a third story to the clubhouse based on some of the feedback we have received. This would add event and banquet capacity which we know is a need in Oswego,” Hansen said.
Trustee Jennifer Jones Sinnott said she strongly encouraged the developer to consider the third level during a staff review meeting.
“We really need a place in Oswego where we can have receptions and events to keep people here,” the trustee said.
Trustee Tom Guist was interested in the interior landscape of the domes.
“I’m sure we are not importing palm trees,” he said. “What is the make-up of the landscaping?”
Megalodome Golf President and General Manager Bertrand Quentin said the look would be similar to golf courses in Arizona.
“It’s all artificial trees, cactuses and grass,” he said. “Only the sand and ponds are natural.”
He said that only the highest quality artificial grass would be used at the facility.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
