Buffalo Grove hopes golf simulators will boost business at the Arboretum Club.
The village has selected a new tenant looking to add a new twist to operations at the village’s high-end golf course at 401 Half Day Road, one of two golf courses owned by the village.
The village announced on Friday that it plans to sign a lease with WJ Golf, an indoor golf company based at 1380 Busch Parkway in Buffalo Grove.
WJ Golf plans to remodel the current banquet room and fill it with golf simulators.
The village is touting the first of its kind in the Chicago area to combine virtual and traditional golf experiences.
WJ Golf will offer indoor golf activities, including private lessons and golf simulators, as well as full-service dining and entertainment,
“We made a strategic decision to reposition the course and its amenities to provide a year-round golf and entertainment experience,” said Village Manager Dane Bragg. “This exciting new use of the Arboretum Club will make Buffalo Grove a distinctive recreational destination for its local residents and golf enthusiasts.”
WJ Golf will succeed the club’s long-time tenant, Progressive, next year pending approval of an agreement that will be presented to the village council at a special meeting on Tuesday.
The proposed 10-year lease includes two optional extensions of five years each. The village said the deal will provide significant new revenue to fund course upgrades.
WJ Golf plans to keep its current location on Busch Parkway, which opened in 2020, and has an indoor driving range, online golf and a golf simulator.
The village announced this and WJ Golf plans to invest $ 1.4 million in the arboretum over the next five years.
The plan is to convert the existing banquet room into the virtual golf center and to improve the karting paths, greens and bunkers of the golf course.
The restaurant, bar and terrace area will be converted into a full-service operation under the direction of WJ Golf.
As for Progressives, the village and Progressives agreed to end the contract early, although the lease was supposed to expire in late 2022. Progressive will vacate the premises in mid-November.
Thanking Progressive for decades of service to the community, Village President Beverly Sussman said, “We appreciate their dedicated service for weddings, mitzvahs, Chamber of Commerce events, the Seniors’ Exhibition, and more. We look forward to this exciting new approach to our community.”