Some big updates are in the works for a Centre Region country club.
Centre Hills Country Club in State College intends to construct a new pool, pool house, tennis and pickleball courts and more, according to a preliminary land development plan presented to the borough planning commission on Thursday.
The improvements are planned for the area of an existing parking lot along a private road off of Scenery Drive.
Next to the 6,200-square-foot swimming pool, plans call for a pool house with two sections bisected by a breezeway. At one end are a check-in, changing rooms, a lifeguard area and a multipurpose room. The other end will feature a golfer’s lounge, two golf simulators, a kitchen and indoor and outdoor dining and bar areas.
An outdoor terrace is expected to have seating and gas fire pits.
The 35-foot-tall pool house building will have a “contemporary farmhouse aesthetic,” with full bed natural stone and wood composing most of the exterior, according to Judson Hornfeck, of project architect Chambers. The roof will consist of composite shingles along with metal accents for lower canopy areas. Dormers will allow for natural light in the indoor dining area and outside air intake for a mechanical equipment penthouse, which will be contained within a gable.
Other planned new amenities include an open-air pavilion next to the pool and a playground and play space.
Across the access drive, the existing parking lot will be expanded to 105 spaces, John Sepp, of project engineer PennTerra, said. Another 41 overflow spaces would be available in an adjacent lawn area.
Four pickleball courts and two tennis courts will be located next to the parking lot. Centre Hills expects to request a variance to allow for 20-foot light fixtures for the courts, as opposed to the permitted 15-foot standards, Sepp said. He added that the lights would meet borough requirements and no variance would be sought for light spillover.
Traffic consultant Wooster & Associates conducted a trip-generation analysis that determined a traffic impact study would not be required for the land development plan, according to Sepp.
Planning commission only reviewed the preliminary land development plan and no action was required.
The 102-year-old country club plans to submit a final land development plan in December and begin construction by the end of May, pending approvals. Completion is anticipated in 2025.
